




■ 



ra™*—" 



■ . 






■ 



T^flafc 



A\ 



BR 



E&&8& 



fmm 



SfiH&l 



■ 






2>z^W ^ruJ4/ 




DEATH; 



¥l»e >£ekr(ii^ kqd fje^ult. 



—BY- 
JOHN K. WILSON. 
M 

A Member of the Pennsylvania Bar. 



1901. 
THE SUNFLOWER PUBLISHING CO., 
Lily Dale, N. Y. 



V- 



THE LIBRARY OF 

CONGRESS, 
Two Copies Received 

APR. 19 1901 

Copyright entry 

CL'ASSCt X*«. N* 

COPY 3. 






Entered According to Act of Congress 

in the Year 1900 

By JOHN K. WILSON 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at 
Washington, D. C. 



e« 

• e 

• e * 



< < c- r. I 



DEDICATION. 

to all lovers of truth, 

in whatever field of action found, 

clime discovered, 

or tongue expressed. 

The Author. 



1 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

The First Rap— The First Sitting With Kramer and 
Dallas — Who Kramer and Dallas Are — How it Came 
About — Dallas Developes Wonderful Power— Can 
Plainly See Sprints and Distinctly Hear What They 
Say — Perfect in Clairvoyance and Clairaudience — The 
Spirit of Dr. Shoemaker Appears— The Doctor 
Talks — How He Identifies Himself. 

Page 25 

CHAPTER II. 

The Spirit of William Schopperle Appears — The Spir- 
it of Dr. Shoemaker Appears — What He Says — Dr. 
Shoemaker's Further Effort to Prove Identity — Zith- 
er Played by Unseen Master — The Spirits of Dr. Eddy 
and George C. Steel Appear — What They Say— Spirit 
of Dr. Shoemaker Talks of Spirit Return. 

Page 41 

CHAPTER III. 

Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Makes Date for Meeting— Dallas 
Tardy— The Effect— Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Appears— 



Yl CONTENTS. 

Gives us Advice— Divulges a Plan— Obstacles to Over- 
come—Selfish Spirits— The Spirit of O. P. Happer 
Appears— What He Says to Establish Identity— The 
Spirits of Dr. Eddy, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Kramer, Mr. 
Schopperle and Others Appear— Strange Light— Mrs. 
Wilson and Mrs. Kramer Come In View. 

Page 59 

CHAPTER IV. 

Spirits Can Read Thoughts— New Element in Circle— 
W. S. Brown Present — How it Happened— Spirits of 
Theodore Marlin, Dr. Shoemaker, Ira Hathaway, 
John P. McQuiston, Mrs. Miller and Plum Mitchell 
Appear — What They Say to Brown — What Plum 
Mitchell Said to Wilson — Who These Spirits Were in 
Earth Life — Ed. O' Davis Present — His Experience — 
Indian Spirits Appear — The Effect Explained by 
Spirit Mitchell — Spirit of Peter Spargo Appears — 
What He Says — Spirit Wife of J. L. Kramer Appears 
— What She Says — Further Experience W T ith Indian 
Spirits. 

Page... 71 

CHAPTER V. 

The Spirit of Joe Zuver Appears—His Trouble in Mak- 
ing His Presence Known— Spirit Mitchell Appears— 
Has Message From Spirit Dr. Shoemaker — Indian 
Spirit Appears— Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Again Appears— 
Informs Us that Indian Spirits Will Not Trouble Us 
Again — Sets Evening for Next Meeting. 

Pase 89 



CHAPTER VI. 

Spirit Dr, Shoemaker Appears— He Brings With Him 
and Introduces The Spirit of Hon. Charles Sumner— 
What Mr. Sumner Says— His Effort to Establish 
Identit}'— Spirit Sumner Trys to Control Wilson- 
Fails— Disappointed at Failure— Spirit Shoemaker 
and Sumner A^ain Aooe^r— Trvs To Control Wilson 



CONTENTS. Vll 

— Succeeds— Wilson's Experience— Wilson's Spirit 
Mother Again In View— Spirit of Judge Theo. S. Wil- 
son, R. F. Borckman and T. H. Tomlinson Appear 
—What They Say. 

Page 99 

CHAPTER VII. 

Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Appears — Has a Surprise for 
Dallas— Dallas' Spirit Sister and Chum, Robert Mar- 
tin, Appear — What They Say— Spirit Charles Sum- 
ner Appears — Controls Wilson — Speaks Through his 
Organism — Name Written — Spirit of Judge James 
Campbell Appears — Mrs. Burns and Miss Burns Meet 
Spirit Airs. Kramer — Wilson's and Dallas' Strange 
Experience — Visit of Strange Spirit — Effect on Dallas. 

Page 112 

CHAPTER VIII. 

A Procession of Spirits— Spirits Sumner and Shoemaker 
Appear — Spirit Sumner Controls Wilson — How Spirit 
Hypnotism Feels — Spirits Opposed to Communica- 
tions — Wilson and Dallas in Purgatory — Arraigned — 
Convictions Fix Locality in Spirit W r orld— Effort 
to Destroy Mediumistic Properties — Visitation of 
Strange Spirit Explained— Spirits Dr. Shoemaker 
and Dr. Eddy Appear— Find Dallas' Clairvoyance 
and Clairaudience Impaired — Call it a Calamity — 
Dallas' Power to See and Hear Spirits Destroyed — 
Spirits Emplov Telegraphy — Wilson Sees Strange 
Spirit. 

Page 140 

CHAPTER IX. 

Spirit Mitchell Present— Gives Messages by Telegraph 
—First Message— War in Spirit World — Its Cause — 
How Conducted— Spirit Telegraphy Explained — Ad- 
vised to Procure Battery and Telegraph Instrument 
— Battery and Instrument Procured— Spirit Mitchell 
Directs Arrangements — Operates Instrument—First 



Till CONTENTS. 

Spirit Message by Telegraph Instrument— Messages 
From Spirits Sumner, Eddy and Shoemaker— Spirit 
Prof. F. R. S. Introduced— Christmas Meeting— Din- 
ner and Banquet— More Messages. 

Page 157 

CHAPTER X. 

More Spirit Telegraphy— Spirits' New Year Greeting- 
Spirits J. Gould and William H. Vanderbilt Introduced 
—Banquet to Our Guests— Spirits of Professor F.R. S., 
Mr. Gould, Mr. Vanderbilt, Dr. Eddy, Plum Mitchell, 
William Mitchell, Mrs. Kramer, Mrs. Wilson, Judge 
Wilson, Judge Campbell, Mr. Bethune, William Shop- 
perle, Charles Sumner, Dr. Shoemaker Present — Con- 
trolled by Sumner — Entertained at Dinner — How 
Spirits Eat and Drink Explained— Manner of Dress 
Explained. 

Page 179 

CHAPTER XI. 

One Hundred Spirits Entertained at Dinner— Proces- 
sion From Office to Hotel — Their Appearance — Their 
Deportment — Wonderful Telegrams from Spirits — 
Promised Restoration of Dallas' Powers — Demonsta- 
tions of Spirit Sumner's Ability to Impress Wilson — 
Spirits Excuse Themselves — Promise to Return — 
Spirit Mitchell Directs Diagram by Telegraphy — 
Spirit Mitchell and Wilson Talk of Boyhood Days — 
A Song by Spirit Telegraphy— Spirit Sumner Ex- 
plains Difference in Present Method of Communica- 
tion and Method Formerly Employed— Entertain 
Spirit Friends at Wagner's Opera— A Strange Mes- 
sage—Sudden Departure of Spirit Friends. 

Page 191 

CHAPTER XII. 

Mystery— Suspicion Aroused— A Forged Telegram- 
Deception Detected— Warned By Spirit Friends— 
Another Forged Spirit Telegram— Detected— Spirit 



CONTENTS. IX 

Friends Betrayed — A Judas in Camp — Again Warned — 
"Wilson Meets Spirit Judge James B. Knox — More 
Spirit Warfare—A Visit by Pope Leo II — A Visit by 
Cardinal Manning — Informed Who Betrayed Spirit 
Friends — Another Victory — Telegrams From Spirit 
Friends — Ultimatum for Kramer. 

Page 214 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Spirits Shoemaker and Eddy Present — Give Telegrams 
—Spirit Plum Mitchell Present— Joke by Spirit Eddy 
— Spirit Shoemaker Speaks — Loss of ExpendedForce by 
Break — Kramer's Suspicions — Informed Who Betra^^ed 
Our Friends — Barred From Future Proceedings — Its 
Effect — Meeting of Dallas, Kramer and Wilson Planned 
by Spirits Shoemaker and Sumner — What Was Said 
— Telegram From Spirit Sumner — Speaks of New 
Work— Spirits F. R. S., Shoemaker, Eddy, Mitchell, 
Wilson and A Stranger Entertained at Dinner — Tele- 
gram From Dr. Eddy — Going to Write a Book- 
New Spirit Operator — More Telegrams — Another 
Spirit Battle— Wonderful Message by Spirits F. R. S.. 
Sumner and Shoemaker — A Proposition — More Tele- 
grams — Answer to Proposition — Spirit Mitchell Cap- 
tured. 

Page 234 

CHAPTER XIV. 

A Strange Spirit — Interferes With Instrument — Spirits 
F. R. §., Sumner, Shoemaker and Mitchell present — 
Spirit Telgrams — Dallas Desires to Leave Bradford 
— Informed of Letter — Received Letter — Spirit Sum- 
ner's Message About Letter — W 7 hy Dallas and Wil- 
son Selected — Dallas Advised to Remain in Bradford 
— Message From Spirit Mitchell — Severe Engagement 
— More War— Message — Victory Won — Message From 
F. R. S.— Mode of Warfare— Forty-Eight Hour En- 
gagement — Spirit Mitchell Wounded— Spirits Sumner 
and Shoemaker Wounded— Spirit Eddy's Capture 
Planned— Invisible Wires— Electric Storm Disturbs 



X CONTENTS. 

Instrument— Dallas and Wilson Intercept Messages — 
Intercepted Spirit Telegrams—Cipher Message — 
Strange Telegrams — Intercepted Message Repeated 
to Spirit Friends— The Result. 

Page 256 

CHAPTER XV. 

Spirit Telegram — A New Operator — Spirit Harvey 
Mason — Our Acquaintance — Spirit Telegrams — 
Victory — Engagement Expected — Battle — Another 
Victory — More Spirit Telegrams — Map by Spirit 
Mitchell — Position of Spirit Forces in Battle 
Array — Enemy Reinforced — Message From Spirit 
Sumner — Wilson Meets Spirit Sumner — Controlled — 
Fight Still On— Victory for Friends— Spirits F. R. S., 
Plum Mitchell and Dr. Shoemaker Present — What 
They Say. 

Page 277 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Spirits Dr. Shoemaker and Plum Mitchell Present — 
Spirit Telegrams — Spirit Shoemaker Wishes to Meet 
An Old Friend — Requests Wilson to Invite Friend to 
Office — Spirits Sumner and F. R. S. Present — What 
They Say — Kramer Receives Message From Spirit 
Wife — Spirits Entertained Again at Dinner — Direct 
Line Repaired — Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Meets Old 
Friend — What Was Said — Surprise For Old Friend — 
A Talk With Spirit Sumner — Wilson Introduces His 
Sister to Spirits— What Was Said— To Go to Lily 
Dale — The Purpose — Spirit Dr. Shoemaker to Treat 
Mrs. Murray, 

Page 292 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Telegram by Spirit Sumner— Spirit Dr. Shoemaker 
Diagnosis Mrs. Murray's Ailment — Wilson's Spirit 
Brother a Prisoner of War— Spirits Mitchell, Prof. 
F. R. S. and Shoemaker Telegraph— Spirit Dr. Shoe- 



CONTENTS. XI 

maker Perscribes for Mrs. Murray — Strange Device 
—Meeting Prevented by Electric Storm— Dangerous 
for Operators— Dallas' Trouble About Lily Dale — 
Telegrams From Spirit Friends — Spirit Power — To 
Start for Lily Dale— How Brought About— Spirit 
Prof. F. R. S.'s Instructions For Lily Dale. 

Page 317 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

At Lily Dale — How Received — Quarters Procured — A 
Surprise— Dallas at the Dale — Surprised — Prepared 
Telegraph Instrument — The First Telegram at the 
Dale— Spirit Mitchell Explains— Spirit F. R. S. pres- 
ent — Line of Communication From Our Instrument 
to Spirit World — Spirits Dr. Shoemaker and Dr. Eddy 
in Evidence — What They Say — Spirit Charles Sumner 
Present — What He Says — Commence Business — Wil- 
son's Spirit Mother Present — What She Sa\-s — A Vis- 
it by Spirits Mitchell, Schopperle, Shoemaker, Sum- 
ner, Prof. F. R. S. and Mason— Mason's Message— A 
Visit by Spirits William Wilson, Mrs. Wilson, George 
Steele, Hathaway and Bethune — Controlled by Sum- 
ner — What Sumner Says — Incredulous Spirit Profes- 
sors — Entertain Spirits Mitchell and Mason — Again 
Controlled by Sumner — Spirit Shoemaker's Assurance 
— Spirit Telegrams — Spirit Wilson Explains His Es- 
cape — Controlled bv Sumner. 

'Page 335 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Telegrams To and From Spirits — Wilson Controlled bv 
Spirit Sumner— Talk with Spirit Prof. F. R. S. Over 
Invisible Wire — Dallas Desires to Return to Bradford 
— Spirit Friends Wish to See Manifestations — Wilson, 
Dallas and Spirits Sumner, F. R. S. and Shoemaker 
at Materializing Seance — The Result — What Spirits 
Sumner and F. R. S. Say About Seance — Explained 
bv Spirit Shoemaker — Dallas Leaves For Bradford — 
Wilson and Spirits Sumner, Shoemaker and F. R. S. 
Visit Mediums. 

Page 368 



Xll CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XX. 

At Bradford— Spirit Telegram— Spirit Professor Tele- 
graphs—Trouble With Line— Spirit F. R. S. Gives 
Experience at Lily Dale— Trouble With Telegraph 
Instrument — New Battery — Spirit Sumner Makes 
Appointment — Meeting With Spirit Sumner— Controll- 
ed — Intercepted Message — Indicates Trouble — Spirit 
F. R. S. Present— Two Strange Spirits Introduced— 
Newton and Grant— What They Say— F. R. S.'s 
Attention Called To Intercepted Message— Strange 
Proceeding — Spirit F. R. S. Taken Prisoner — Treach- 
ery — Enemy Control and Use Our Telegraph Instru- 
ment — Spirits Mitchell and Eddy Allured— Captured 
— How Done — Spirits Mason and Shoemaker Appear 
— Their Escape — Spirit Telegram— Message From 
Spirit Shoemaker — Enemy Preparing to Attack — 
Reply — Attacked by Enemy — Break in the Room — 
Terrible Indictment — Dallas and Wilson Threatened 
— Enemy Gain Victory — Spirit Mason a Prisoner — 
Deus — Spirits Sumner, F. R. S., Mitchell and Eddy 
Prisoners — Dallas and Wilson Accused — Answer — 
Olive Branch— Refused— A Visit by Deus— What He 
Says — Our Answer — Price for Spirit Friends' Liberty 
— Refused. 

Page 394 

CHAPTER XXL 

Spirit Dr. Shoemaker a Prisoner— Present Under Guard 
—What Pie Says— Establishes Identity— Efforts to 
Hear From Friends — Denied By Adverse Force — 
Impudent Spirit Message — Answer — Heated Colloquy 
With Spirit Antagonists — Message Intercepted — Plan 
to Impersonate— Discovered — More Messages Inter- 
cepted — Decoy Message — Detected — Message Signed, 
"A Friend"— Mystery— Masters From Hell— Strange 
Discovery — More Spirit Telegrams — Terms Urged by 
Deus — Another Colloquy — Hope — Message, "Be Pa- 
tient" — Name By Impression — Message By Sam Mc 
Bride — Spirits Dr. Shoemaker and Sumner Escape 
From Captivity— Spirit F. R. S. Escapes— Telegram 



CONTENTS. Xlll 

From Spirit Mitchell— Mitchell and Others Gain Lib- 
erty — Time Set for Meeting — Directed to Prepare 
Instrument. 

Page 416 

CHAPTER XXII. 

Spirits Shoemaker, Prof. F. R. S., Plum Mitchell and 
Charles Sumner Present — What They Say— Enter- 
tained at Dinner — Speak of Their Captivity — How 
Liberated — Wonderful Message by Spirits Sumner, F. 
R. S., Shoemaker, Mitchell and Mason — Plan formu- 
lated — Telegrams From Spirit Sumner — Telegram 
From Spirit Prof. F. R. S .— Working on Plan— Wil- 
son and Dallas to Leave Bradford — Destination — In- 
structions — When to Depart — Where and When to 
Meet. 

Page 437 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

Spirit F. R. S. Present— What He Says— Dallas Leaves 
Bradford — Wilson Leaves Bradford — Experience — 
Wilson and Dallas Meet at Buffalo— Meet Spirit 
Sumner — Instructs Wilson and Dallas — Leave Buffalo 
for Washington, D. C. — At Washington — Meet Spirit 
Mitchell — Mitchell Criticises Manner of Registering — 
Enen^ Discover Wilson's and Dallas' Absence — Effort 
to Trace — Ordered to Proceed to Charlotte, N. C. — 
Leave Washington — At Charlotte — Meet Spirit Mitch- 
ell — Informed That Enemy had Traced to Buffalo — 
Ordered to Savannah, Ga. — At Savannah — Meet Spirit 
Mitchell — Efforts of Enemy to Find Wilson and Dal- 
las — Ordered to Jacksonville, Fla. — Meet Spirit Mitch- 
ell — Keep Advised — Spirit Mitchell Consults R. R. 
Time-Table— Meet Spirit Mason— Ordered to St. Au- 
gustine, Fla. 

Page 457 

CHAPTER XXIV. 
At St. Augustine, Florida— Meet Spirits Mitchell and 



XIV CONTENTS. 

Mason — Spirits Select Quarters — Inform "Wilson and 
Dallas — Move Into Quarters — Pleasantly Situated — 
Visit by Spirits Mitchell and Mason— What They 
Say — Getting Ready For Work — Meeting Appointed 
— Prepared Telegraph Instrument — Something New 
in Telegraphy— Watch Established— Visits by Spirits 
Mitchell, F. R. S. and Shoemaker — Give Password- 
Wall Built — Wires Being Constructed — Enemy Still 
in Buffalo, N. Y. — Question Asked Shoemaker — His 
Answer — Danger of Discovery — Visited by F. R. S. — 
Spirit Telegram — Explains How Enemy Discovered 
Wilson's and Dallas' Absense — The Effect — Being 
Traced — Manner of Registering Criticised — System 
of Yv r ires— Visit by Spirit Sumner — What He Says — 
He Loves the South — Visit by Spirits Sumner and F. 
R. S.— Trouble— Dallas' Mail— Rothstein Writes Elder 
Dallas — Father Alarmed — Dallas' Uncle on the Hunt 
— Spirits Sent to Scotland — Writes Letter to J. G. — 
Plan Formulated — Dallas Writes His Father — How 
Arranged — Visit by Spirit Eddy — What He Says — 
Telegram by Spirit Sumner — Traced to Washington, 
D. C— Controlled by Sumner. 

Page 472 

CHAPTER XXV. 

Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Present — Enemy Still Tracing — A 
Surprise for Wilson — Meets Spirit Brother — What He 
Says— Meets Spirit Mother— What She Says— Dr. 
Shoemaker Talks — Strange Spirit Introduced — Prov- 
ed To Be a Friend — On Judicial Bench in Earth Life 
— What He Sa} T s— Spirits Mitchell and Mason Enter- 
tained — Spirits Sumner and F. R. S. Present — Came 
From Washington, D. C. — Liable To Be Discovered — 
Enemy Very Determined — Now In Charlotte, N. C. — 
Wilson and Dallas Ordered to Return to Bradford, 
Pa.— All Hope Gone— Spirit F. R. S.'s Parting Tele- 
gram — Leave St. Augustine — At Bradford — Meeting 
Appointed — To Invite Friends — Meet Spirits Sumner, 
Shoemaker and Mitchell— -J. S. G. Present — Enemy 
Trace to Jacksonville, Fla. — What Saved Wilson — 
Controlled— Effect on J. S. G.— Telegrams From 



CONTENTS. XV 

Spirit Shoemaker— To Go To Lily Dale— Wall Col- 
lapsed— Visit by Spirit Judge Corbett — A Surprise- 
Wilson and Dallas Assaulted — Pope Aggressor — How 
Rescued — Explained. 

Page 497 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

At Lily Dale — Meet Spirits Mitchell and Mason — Spec- 
ial Meeting Arranged — Meet Spirits Shoemaker and 
F. R. S. — Cordiality Extended — Important Message — 
Directed by Spirit F. R. S. — Comments on Trip South 
— Wall Stationed — Danger — Carefully Guarded by 
Spirits Mitchell and Mason — Comments on Assault— 
Trying Experiment — Advice Given — Hope for Success 
— Return to Bradford — Meet Spirit Mason — Special 
Meeting Arranged — Meet • Spirits Sumner, F. R. S. 
and Shoemaker — Plan Changed — Dallas to Go to 
Buffalo, N. Y. — Wilson to Remain in Bradford, Pa. — 
Preliminaries — Efforts of Enemy to Ridicule Spiritists 
— Instructions — Messages From Spirits Sumner, F. 
R. S. and Shoemaker — Spirit Mason Expert Telegra- 
pher — Message Translated and Transmitted — Wall 
Opened — Visit by Strange Spirit — Wall Closed. 

Pasre 519 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

Important Meeting — Wilson, Galbraith, Dallas, and 
Spirits F. R. S., Mitchell and Mason Present— The 
Object — A Wonderful Message — Important Move — - 
Ego After Passing Divide — Plan Disclosed — Dallas 
and Wilson to Separate — The Object — Outlook For 
Success — Instructions — Dallas to Leave Buffalo — Wil- 
son to Remain in Bradford — To Meet in Near Future 
— Powers to be Submitted — Its Effect — Revolution in 
Doctrines — Message by Spirit Shoemaker — What He 
Sa3 r s — Great Confidence — Predicts Success — Dallas 
Leaves Buffalo— Settles in Portland— Message From 
Spirit Mitchell— Difficulties Arise— Delay — Spirit Von 
Helmholtz Joins Force — Complications Arise — Success* 
Doubtful — Another Wonderful Message — Spirit Shoe- 



IXV1 CONTENTS. 



maker Directs — Climax Reached — Priests and Poperj 
Proposition to Withdraw Resistance — Refused— 
Iftaable to Proceed— Failure Admitted — Cause Explain- 
ed — Leaders Enter College — Spirits' Leave-taking. 

Page 535 



INTRODUCTION. 

"Truth is stranger than fiction, and life is, 
after all, a mystery/ ' Life being a mystery what 
shall we say of death? "Death," wrote Faber, 
"is an unsurveyed land, an unarranged science." 
Henry Drummond wrote: "Poetry draws near 
death only to hover over it for a moment and 
withdraw in terror. History knows it simply 
as a universal fact. Philosophy finds it among 
the mystery of being, and the one great mystery 
of being not. All contributions of this dread 
theme are marked by one essential vagueness, 
and every avenue of approach seems darkened 
by impenetrable shadow." 

What death is, and how it came to be estab- 
lished as a factor in the economy of nature has 
formed the theme of scientists, idealists, theorists 
and theists for many centuries; in fact since the 
creation of man. Some say it is a condition 
produced in evolving processes, which idea per- 
haps led Victor Hugo to say: "I am the tad- 



XV111 INTRODUCTION. 

pole of an arch angel.' ' In Mr. Herbet Spencer's 
search for the meaning of life, he encounters its 
antithesis Death, and pauses a moment to define 
it. He assumes as a matter of course what 
Death is depends upon what life is. His defini- 
tion of life is: "the definite combinations of het- 
erogeneous changes, both simultaneous and suc- 
cessive, in correspondence with co-existences and 
sequences. " This definition may be profound, 
but to the average mind perhaps a little complex; 
too much roiled with profundity to be clear. 
Mr. Spencer likely thought so, and he gives us 
a shorter definition: "the continuous adjustment 
of internal relations to external relations." 

In the language of biology it would be said 
that man to be alive is to be in correspondence 
with his environments. When the organisms en- 
tering into the composition of man fail to dis- 
charge the functions of assimilation, waste, re- 
production and growth he is said to be dead. 
What then? Does it answer the question, "If a 
man die, shall he live again?" This question I 
believe is attributed especially to Job, but to my 
mind is undoubtedly an interrogatory propound- 
ed by millions of lips before the birth of Job, 
has puzzled myriads of human souls since, and 
with anxious mind and bated breath will con- 
tinue to be asked until all doubt is removed and 
positive knowledge obtained. Man trembles in 
the presence of death. The rich and the poor, 
the high and the lowly pale at its approach, and 
look upon it as the king of terrors, as man's itn- 



INTRODUCTION. XIX 

placable enemy with which no compromise is 
possible, pursuing him with relentless fury. A 
monster in every clime, sparing none. And in 
the language of the poet, 

"He saw where'er he went, 
Whatever path in life he trod 
The goblin form beneath him stand 
Like trusty old assassin; in his aim 
Steady and sure as the eye of destiny." 
It may be that man looks udoii death in a 

•S JL 

wrong light. Instead of its being an implacable 
enemy, is it not possible that it is a considerate 
friend? Many think it is not a part of nature 
as originally planned, but a factor brought 
about by man himself through disobedience of 
divine law. They believe man to have been per- 
fect in the start, and designed to live in his body 
of flesh eternally, but fell from the perfect state 
and incurred death. They believe in special crea- 
tion, and claim to hold the key to the situation 
here and hereafter. Others believe that man is 
a creature evolved from the lower orders of crea- 
tion and is continually getting better intellectual- 
ly, morally and spiritually, and that physical 
death is as much a factor in the economy of na- 
ture, as originally planned, as physical birth. 
Some say that death ends all; others, that it is 
a birth into another condition of life. By far 
the greater number, however, say they "don't 
know," but wish they did. 

Many say that man is a structure composed 
exclusively of matter, and that there is nothing 



XX INTRODUCTION. 

in or about human or comparative anatomy, but 
what the unrivalled dissectors Swammerdam, 
Winslow and many others have discovered by 
scalpel or microscope. Others say that man has 
a soul which they define as the ego, the person- 
ality, the individual consciousness; that man has 
a spiritual nature as well as a corporeal; that 
the real man is a spirit with an organized form 
composed of spiritual substance which survives 
physical death and maintains continued identity 
after death. 

So men come and go having various ideas on 
the subject of death, its meaning and result. It 
strikes me that the only possible way to become 
enlightened on the subject is to consult someone 
who has experienced it. I think all thinking men 
-will agree with me on this point; but can that 
be done? This question was in the mind of the 
great Shakespeare, evidenced by the dialogue be- 
tween Glendower and Hotspur: 

"Glen — I can call spirits from the vasty deep. 

Hot — Why so can I, or so can any man; 

But will they come when you do call them?" 

The word science means knowledge and when 
used to designate some particular knowledge 
along special lines of investigation it is given a 
name. Science has devoted itself for many cen- 
turies "to the cataloguing of facts and the dis- 
covery of laws." If one wishes to find out some- 
thing about geology he must consult the toiler 
in his quarry; about botany, the worker in his 
garden; about biology, the investigator in his 



INTRODUCTION. XXI 

laboratory; of astronomy the toiler in his obser- 
vatory; of history, the plodder in his library; 
of archaeology, the student in his museum, of 
psychology, the psychic in his study and of spirit 
return, the medium in his receptive mood, and 
so on through nature. 

After all science is what a natural world says 
to natural man. It is nature addressing the 
understanding of man; before the knowledge is 
obtained it is a mystery; afterwards the mystery 
vanishes. It is so in every field of human thought 
and investigation. 

Sir William Thompson, a very able scientist, 
in his address before the British Association in 
1871 said: "Science is bound by the everlasting 
law of honor to face fearlessly every problem 
which can fairly be presented to it." So it 
would seem that science has a duty to perform 
as well as a mission to follow, and if that be 
so, spirit phenomena have as much claim to the 
earnest consideration and honest investigation 
of science as any other phenomena in nature. 

Among the men and women of science and let- 
ters; past and present; who affirm that spirits 
of the so-called dead can and do hold converse 
with the so-called living, are Prof. Chalis, of 
Cambridge, England; W. F. Barrett, Professor of 
Physics in the Royal College of Science, Dublin; 
GustavT. Fechner, Professor of Physics in the Uni- 
versity of Leipsic; Lord Rayleigh, F. R. S., Profes- 
sor of Physics in the University of Cambridge; 
Prof. Scheibner, Teacher of Mathematics in the Uni- 



-\^ 



XX11 INTRO DUCTION. 

versity of Leipsic; W. E. Weber, Professor of Phy- 
sics in the University of Gottenburg; Franz Hoff- 
man, Professor of Philosophy, Wurtzburg Univers- 
ity; Prof. Wagner, Geologist, University of Russia; 
Prof. Butler of, Chemist, Russia; Prof. P. Zollner, 
Leipsic, Author of transcendental Physics; Prof. 
Nees Von Esenbeck, President of the Royal Acad- 
emy of Sciences, Germany; Benjamin F. Wade, of 
Ohio, Ex-United States Senator; Ex-Senator How- 
ard, of Michigan; N. P. Tallmage, Ex-Governor 
of Wisconsin; Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton; Alfred 
Tennyson, Poet Laureate; Mrs Browning; Oliver 
Johnson, Former Editor of Christian Union; Jos- 
eph Jefferson, the celebrated actor; M. Theirs, 
Ex-President of France; Dr. Robert Chambers; 
Hiram Powers, the Sculptor; Lord Dunraven; 
Honorable Alex. Aksakoff, Imperial Counsel, St. 
Petersburg; William Lloyd Garrison, of Boston; 
Dr. Robert Hare; Judge John W. Edmunds, of New 
York; Richard Hodgson, Professor of Psychology 
at Cambridge University, Eng.; James H. Hyslop, 
Professor of Logic and Mental Science at Col- 
umbia University, U. S. A.; Rev. Minot J. Savage; 
W. T. Ste^id, Editor of the Review of Reviews, and 
many o there. 

If any should ask me how I would answer 
Hotspur's interrogatory, I would refer them to 
the record following. When I wrote the re- 
cord or any part of it, or what I had seen, felt 
and heard concerning spirit return I had no no- 
tion of having it published. Each record was 
written immediately after the occurrence therein 



INTRODUCTION. XX111 

related, and was intended for my own conven- 
ience for future reference. My experiences are to 
me so wonderful, and facts so startling that I 
have concluded that they belong to the world 
and not to me alone. I have no pecuniary 
purpose to serve, and if I were seeking fame or 
notoriety I certainly would choose a different 
course than placing before the public this volume, 
for I am well aware that such literature is in no 
sense popular with the reading public. 

I also know that by many friends, acquain- 
tainces and strangers, I will be unkindly criti- 
cised, my motive impugned and word doubted. 
However, it matters not to me. I state the facts 
as they occurred. The reader must judge of their 
merit and demerit. My only purpose in this 
publication is to inform those who care to know 
of the evidence I have received of life after death; 
of continued personality and identity in a sphere 
greater than ours after the disintegration of the 
physical body; in what manner I obtained the 
evidence and by whom given. 

"Only this, nothing more." 

The Author. 

Bradford, Pa., May 15, 1900. 



CHAPTER I. 

The First Rap— The First Sitting With Kramer and 
Dallas— Who Kramer and Dallas Are— How it Came 
About— Dallas Developes Wonderful Power— Can 
Plainly See Spirits and Distinctly Hear What They 
Say — Perfect in Clairvoyance and Clairaudience — The 
Spirit of Dr. Shoemaker Appears — The Doctor 
Talks — Plow He Identifies Himself. 

Several years ago, while living at home with 
my father and mother on a farm in Crawford 
County, Pa., it so happened that on a particu- 
lar evening my father and mother left their home 
to spend the evening with a neighbor and his 
family, leaving at their home two brothers and 
one sister together with myself. A neighbor's 
boy. by name James Johnson, called at my 
father's house to spend the evening with us 
during our parents' absence. As the evening 
wore on, and after we had tired of several plays, 
games and pranks, the neighbor's boy said that 
he had been reading during the day in some 
newspaper that some people could produce what 



26 death; the meaning and result. 

were called spirit rappings. His narrative ex- 
cited our curiosity, and we were anxious to 
know more about it, and asked him how it was 
done. He said: "just form a circle round a table 
with hands resting on it and the raps will come." 
We suggested a trial there and then, and im- 
mediately formed ourselves in a circle about a 
table which was in the room, rested our hands 
on the table, and with some levity waited for 
results. It was about 10 o'clock p. m., and an 
oil lamp burning on the table made it very light 
in the room. We had not long to wait after 
thus forming the circle and soon we heard dis- 
tinct raps on the table near my brother's hand. 
The raps were loud and distinct, resembling the 
sound of some person tapping on the table 
with his fingers. At first all of us, except my 
brother near whose hands the raps seem to pro- 
ceed, treated the matter with levity, and accused 
him of producing the raps himself for the pur- 
pose of frightening us. He said nothing for two 
or three minutes, still resting his hands on the 
table and the raps coming thick and fast. I 
glanced at his face and saw there an expression 
that indicated perplexity and alarm, which was 
also observed by the others, and we all with- 
drew from the table about the same time. Im- 
mediately the raps ceased on the table and com- 
menced loud and sharp on the chair in which 
my brother was sitting; he arose from the chair 
to a standing position, and the raps were im- 



death; the meaning and result. 27 

mediately transferred from the chair to the floor 
directly under his feet. 

During all this evening and many days and 
evenings thereafter the raps continued. For the 
first few days after this particular evening the 
raps seemed to proceed from a place in close 
proximity to my brother, wherever he chanced 
to be; no matter whether he was sitting, stand- 
ing or reclining the raps were almost continuous 
and very distinctly heard. After the lapse of a 
few days, however, it made but little difference 
whether he was present in the house or miles 
therefrom, the raps came and went at their 
pleasure. 

Late in the evening to which I have referred 
my father and mother returned from their visit, 
and we related to them what had taken place; 
they at first doubted it, and laughed at our 
nervousness and credulity as they styled it; but 
while they were thus talking to us the raps be- 
gan louder than before and they soon became 
satisfied that it was not nervousness or credu- 
lity misleading us; in fact they became as much, 
if not more, alarmed than were we. On that 
evening— which I shall never forget, the raps 
continued about the house first in one room and 
then in another, in the cellar, on the roof and 
in fact all over the house, and at times they 
were so loud that they resembled the striking 
with a hammer in the hands of a strong man. 
Surely, great force was displayed in producing 



28 death; the meaning and result. 

the sounds. But was there intelligence directing 
it? 

After some days of experience, and, in fact, an- 
noyance, with and by the raps, and in order to 
find the cause, if possible, we formulated a code 
of signals whereby if intelligence were behind the 
force we could find out the fact. Our code of 
signals by raps was simple and was this; one 
rap should signify yes, two raps, don't know, 
and three raps, no. When this code of signals 
was announced by us the force producing the 
raps seemed to be pleased, and manifested their 
pleasure by a succession of rapping. We found 
that in answer to oral questions by us 
propounded to them that besides force produc- 
ing the raps there was intelligence directing 
them. We were limited by our code to answers 
to direct questions, and in order to have the 
vocabulary more extended we hit on the expe- 
dient of calling over the letters of the alphabet, 
slowl}', and a letter which the unseen force de- 
sired set down by us, by pen or pencil, when 
thus called over, should be indicated by a dis- 
tinct rap hj the forces. 

In that way we succeeded in conversing with 
them quite freely. The unseen force told us that 
they were the spirits of men and women who 
at one time dwelt on this planet in bodies such 
as we then possessed, some of whom claimed to 
be spirits of relatives and friends of our family, 
and some the spirits of persons who w^ere 
strangers to us. Since this occurrence, and until 



death; the meaning and result. 29 

September 19th 1893 I have given the matter 
but little attention. Now and then, as oppor- 
tunities afforded, I would sit in what is called 
a spiritual circle, and I have had a few private 
sittings with what are called spirit mediums. 
Nothing, however, came of it in either case of 
importance to me. While a force seemed to man- 
ifest, and some intelligence displayed, to me it 
was vague, uncertain and unsatisfactory. If it 
were spirits producing the phenomena, as was 
claimed, their possibilities to manifest appeared 
to be so limited, that to establish their identity 
beyond doubt or cavil was a failure, and I had 
about given up all hope of getting anything out 
of so called spirit manifestations which would 
carry absolute conviction to my consciousness 
that there was life and continued identity after 
death. I was in this frame of mind in relation 
thereto at the beginning of occurrences which 
happened along these lines and are noted in the 
record following. 

A short time previous to September 19th 1893 
I formed the acquaintance of J. L. Kramer of 
Bradford, Pa. He is a German by birth having 
immigrated from his native land to America at 
the age of 17 years; he is now about 30 years 
of age. He has been a resident of Bradford, Pa. 
since 1886. He has dark hair, black eyes, fair 
complexion, not very robust, has fairly good 
health, fairly educated, and stands well in the 
community for honesty, truthfulness and sobrie- 
ty. I became acquainted with him in June, 1893, 



30 death; the meaning and result. 

At the time I became acquainted with him he 
knew nothing about the phenomena or philoso- 
phy of so-called Modern Spiritualism. After our 
acquaintance I told him of my investigation 
along these lines and my conclusion resulting 
there from. He seemed interested, and informed 
me he had recently buried his wife and that if 
possible he should very much like to communi- 
cate with her. Sometime after, as I from time 
to time studied his composition and general at- 
tributes I came to the conclusion that he had 
that degree of sensitiveness about him that per- 
haps he had mediumistic proprieties. On his 
own proposition, and encouraged somewhat by 
me he began to study the possibility of spirit 
return. 

In the latter tmrt of August 1893 I formed 
the acquaintance of E. M. Dallas. He is Scotch 
by birth, and like most of his nationality was 
reared a strict Presbyterian. He has resided in 
Bradford, Pa., about three years, and in Amer- 
ica six years. He is 24 years of age, small of 
stature, nervous temperament, light brown hair 
and blue eyes. At the time I first met him, and 
for sometime thereafter, he believed nothing in 
spirit return, and as he expressed it looked upon 
Spiritualism as "mere bosh and rank fraud," 
although he admitted to me that he had never 
investigated it for himself. I said very little to 
him on the subject. 

A few weeks after our acquaintance, in con- 
versation with him, he told me that sounds re- 



death; the meaning and result. 31 

sembling some person tapping with his finger on 
a hard substance were repeatedly heard by him 
on the head board of his bed after retiring; also 
that he could hear these rappings about him 
through the day as he was at his work, his 
trade being what is known as a jeweler. Ke 
wanted to know of me what I thought produc- 
ed the sound. I said: "Mr. Dallas perhaps it is 
produced by spirits; " but he did not think so.. 
and treated the matter with considerable levity, 
and expressed himself in wonderment that I 
should entertain such foolish ideas. I invited 
him to come to my office the following evening 
which was September 19, 1893, and told him 
that I would have Mr. Kramer there, and that 
we would have a social chat. Ke replied that 
he would be happy to do so. I invited Mr. 
Kramer to be present also. Mr. Kramer came 
to my office on this evening about 8:30 p. m.,. 
and Mr. Dallas, who had no intimate acquaint- 
ance with Mr. Kramer, came to my office at 
9 p. m. My office is located in the Roberts 
Block, Bradford, Pa. After we had engaged in 
conversation for some little time I said to Air. 
Dallas: "From what you told me about hearing 
raps about you, I believe you are a medium. " 
He wanted to know what I meant by "medium," 
I explained to him very briefly, and proposed to 
him and Mr. Kramer to form a circle about the 
table and see if anything would come of it, to 
which they assented. We seated ourselves about 
a small table and placed our hands thereon. In 



32 death; the meaning and result. 

a few moments loud and distinct raps were 
heard by us all as if proceeding from * the table 
near Mr. Dallas' hands; also from the chair on 
which he was seated. He seemed to be surpris- 
ed and puzzled, but neither of us conversed but 
little. I soon spoke and said, "if these are spir- 
its producing the raps we will seek to communi- 
cate with them by a code of raps, having one 
rap signify no, two raps don't know, and three 
raps, yes, and so on. That was agreed upon. 
I then said, "Are there spirits present?" In re- 
sponse three raps. Did they wish to communi- 
cate anything special? In response, three raps. 
After this there was a silence of perhaps two 
minutes, neither of the sitters speaking, and no 
raps heard; then Mr. Dallas gave a sudden start 
from a sitting to a standing position. I took 
hold of his hand and felt that it was shaking 
and observed by his looks that he was frighten- 
ed. I then said to him, "Mr. Dallas do not get 
frightened or nervous; there is no one or noth- 
ing whatever here that will harm you in the 
least; now please be calm, sit down in the chair, 
and I will keep hold of your hand and assure 
you that no harm will come to you. " lie again 
sat down in the chair, but kept his eyes turned 
in a certain direction as though intently looking 
at something of more than passing interest. 1 
still kept hold of his hand and observed that he 
was very nervous. I again said: "now, Mr. 
Dallas please calm yourself and tell us what 
frightened you so." He replied to this: "all 



death; the meaning and result. 33 

right Mr. Wilson, I will not be frightened, but 
this is strange; it is enough to try the nerves of 
the bravest; I don't understand it; here is a 
gentleman, a stranger to me, who seemed to 
grow or build up from the floor. He is nearly 
six feet tall, rather corpulent, well built, light 
brown hair, has a mustache, high forehead, in- 
clined to baldness, regular features, fair complex- 
ion and very red cheeks. Why, Mr. Wilson, he 
is now going towards where you are sitting; he 
is now standing near you, and now rests his 
hand on your left shoulder; as soon as he touch- 
ed you he seemed to be illuminated; he is going 
to talk, and he says he wishes to talk to you; 
he holds out his hand to me and calls me Mr. 
Dallas and saj^s: i Please repeat after me so Mr. 
Wilson can hear what I have to say.' " Then 
Mr. Dallas coughed, cleared his throat as though 
preparing to talk and said: "All right sir, I am 
ready/ ' Mr. Dallas then proceeded and said: 
"My dear friend John, I am William Patterson 
Shoemaker, who passed into spirit life at Cam- 
bridge Borough, Pa., in January 1889, oi heart 
trouble. I knew you very well while in earth 
life, at Edenburg, Pa.; you will recollect that I 
was living at Edenburg at the time you was 
burgess of that place. I moved from Edenburg 
to Bradford. I treated you for fistula here and 
performed an operation on you June 7, 1886 in 
the presence, and who assisted me, of Doctors 
Buss and Straight, in your room on the third 
floor of this block. You will remember my 



34 death; the meaning and result. 

brother who lived in Elk City, Clarion County, 
Pa. at the time you were burgess at Edenburg. 

"John, I wish to say in order to identify my- 
self, that when you asked me for your bill for 
treating and performing the operation on you 
for fistula, I told you your bill was $45.00; the 
same day you sent up to my office a check for 
$50.00, and I sent down to your office a box of 
cigars. You will remember these things. 

"John, do you remember your old friend J. T. 
Gealy?" I did not answer this question and Mr. 
Dallas resumed, "answer please.' ' I then said: 
"Yes, I remember Mr. Gealy, and Mr. Dallas 
proceeded: "I met J. T. Gealy on the spirit side 
of life. He used to be a partner of yours at 
Edenburg. Mr; Gealy knew I was coming here 
this evening to talk to you, paid he wished to 
be remembered to you." To this I replied: "Dr. 
do I understand you that Mr. Gealy is on the 
spirit side of life? I have not heard of his pas- 
sing from earth life." Then Mr. Dallas resumed: 
"Yes, Mr. Gealy is on the spirit side of life; he 
has not been in spirit life long." 

"We are all glad on our side to know that you 
are looking into, and so well understand the 
philosophy of spirit return. Such knowledge 
elevates you above those of your fellow men who 
care to know nothing of it. This is a great and 
glorious truth. Pay no attention to what phil- 
osophical fools may say who deride it. We have 
been about you a great deal for the past four 
or five years helping you what we could. We 



death; the meaning xVNd result. 35 

will help you all we can, and smooth your trials 
and difficulties in your present life to the utmost 
of our strength and ability, and at any time 
you wish to communicate with us you can do 
so through this our medium. I have an impor- 
tant message for you from your brother who is 
in spirit, but he does not desire me to deliver it 
to you now. Your mother is here, John, but 
cannot show herself to you because this medium 
is not sufficiently developed. 

' 4 Mr. Kramer I remember you very well; am 
s:lad to meet you in this way. I am about mv 
old office number 30 Main Street and 78 consid- 
erable, to refresh reminiscences of the past. I 
cannot stay longer. I have a sister who re- 
quires my immediate help and attention, and I 
will say gc for the present, but will come 



again, 






Mr. Dallas sto-roed talking for about fifteen 

jl x O 

seconds and then resumed: "Why, the gentlemen 
has gone, he seemed to pass through the wall." 

We then arose from our sitting, and after dis- 
cussing tor awhile the very wonderful and 
strange phenomena, separated for the evening. 

Xote. The foregoing record to a casual reader 
would be of very little interest, and apart from 
any explanation by me other than therein con- 
tained would suggest no evidence of the identity 
of this shade. Here I was in the company of 
Mr. Kramer and Mr. Dallas with whom I had 
no extended intimate acquaintance. I have 
satisfied myself, however, that Mr. Kramer knew 



36 death; the meaning and result. 

very little by experience or by others of so-cal- 
led Spiritualism or psychological laws, and Mr. 
Dallas knew less; therefore, it was not likely 
that either alone or in concert they would or 
could simulate conditions along those lines; and 
if an effort were made, they being novices, detec- 
tion would be certain. Besides, by their actions, 
deportment and conversation, I know they were 
as much astonished and puzzled over the mani- 
festations obtained in this, our first sitting, as 
am I, and are just as anxious to find out if pos- 
sible the cause which produced the effect. I am 
certain that Mr. Dallas was perfectly honest 
and truthful in what he said and did during this 
sitting; that he was, so to speak, in a supernor- 
mal condition, and truthfully told us what he 
saw, and faithfully repeated what he heard. I 
base this conclusion on the expression of his 
face, his attitude, his nervous condition and 
general deportment at the time of this occurrence, 
as well as the very correct description he gave 
of Dr. Shoemaker, and the evidence contained in 
his repeating what the Doctor had to say. 

I am certain that neither of the sitters produc- 
ed the loud raps heard by us all, emanating from 
the table about which we were seated, from the 
floor and walls of the room, and chairs on which 
we were sitting, by any mechanical device, but 
were produced in a manner unknown to us, be- 
ing the effect of a cause to us at the time inex- 
plicable. Dr. W. P. Shoemaker, whose shade or 
spirit claimed to be present, rapping and talking 



death; the meaning and result. 37 

in a manner heard by Mr. Dallas and by him 
repeated to Mr. Kramer and myself, was, while 
in earth life, an M. D., and stood at the head of 
his profession at the time of his death. I first 
became acquainted with him at Edenburg, Clar- 
ion County, Pa., in 1877, at which place and 
time I began the practice of law, and Dr. Shoe- 
maker began the practice of medicine. We were 
at that time thrown into each others society 
quite often, and we became social and may be 
termed intimate friends. In 1879 Dr. Shoemaker 
left Edenburg and located in Bradford, Pa., and 
engaged in the practice of his profession. I fol- 
lowed him in August 1880, also located in Brad- 
ford and engaged in the practice of my profes- 
sion. Dr. Shoemaker and myself kept up oui 
friendship to the time of his death which occur- 
red at Cambridge Borough, Pa. on January 28, 
1889, while there temporarily. The cause of his 
death was heart failure. He was slightly known 
by Mr. Kramer, but a stranger to Mr. Dallas, 
he never having been met by him during his 
earth life, as Mr. Dallas informs me. 

Now, assuming that the personality producing 
the result as related in the foregoing record was 
really the shade or spirit of Dr. Shoemaker, did 
he give me any evidence to establish his identity? 
And wiat did he say through Mr. Dallas that 
would really convince me that he was the enti- 
ty he represented himself to be? He said: "I am 
William Patterson Shoemaker/ J giving his two 
given names in full. I knew his first name was 



38 death; the meaning and result. 

William but did not know what name the initial 
P. represented. Neither did the other sitters 
know. I have ascertained since through Dr. 
Russell, a former student of his, that the initial 
P. stood for "Patterson." He said: "I knew 
you very well while in earth life at Edenburg, 
Pa.," a fact unknown to Kramer and Dallas. 
He also said: "I was living in Edenburg at the 
time you were burgess of that place," a fact un- 
known to the other sitters. He said: "I treated 
you for fistula and performed an operation on 
you, June 7, 1886." A fact unknown to the 
other sitters. He says: "You asked me for my 
bill for treating and performing an operation 
on you and I told you your bill was $45.00, 
and the same day you sent up to my office a 
check for $50.00, and I sent down to your office 
a box of cigars." Facts certainly known to 
only Dr. Shoemaker and myself. He said: "I 
met J. T. Gealy on the spirit side of life; he used 
to be a partner of yours in Edenburg." Mr. J. 
T. Gealy was a partner of mine in the practice 
of law at Edenburg in 1877 and 1878, but that 
fact was certainly not known by either Kramer 
or Dallas. He said: "Mr Gealy is on the spirit 
side of life." Mr. J. T. Gealy, spoken of as be- 
foresaid, was a partner of mine at Edenburg. 
In 1879 Mr. Gealy and I dissolved partnership 
and he moved to Bradford, Pa. In a year after 
that I also moved to Bradford. Mr. Gealy and 
I had an office together here but were not part- 
ners. He was of a roving disposition and left 



death; the meaning and result. 39 

Bradford in 1881. About two months after he 
left Bradford I got a letter from him saying he 
was not located as yet, and w^as going further 
west, and when he got settled he would write 
to me again; but the first letter was also the 
last, and I heard nothing from him until this 
sitting September 18, 1893, twelve years having 
elapsed, when what purports to be the spirit of 
Dr. Shoemaker, being repeated by Mr. Dallas 
said: "I have met J. T. Gealy on the spirit side 
of life." I was surprised to hear that, and 
thought it certainly must be a mistake. After 
this sitting I wrote to some of Mr. Gealy's 
friends but they could give no information about 
him, and I failed to verify what the shade of 
Dr. Shoemaker had told me until October 9, 
1895, at which time I met, in Pittsburg, Mr. P. 
Canning formerly well acquainted with Mr. G ealy 
who informed me that Mr. Gealy had died some 
time previous to 1893. 

So here is a fact told to me in this w^onderful 
way, in 1893, not known to me at the time, 
and certainly not known to the other sitters, as 
Gealy was entirely unknown by them in his 
life time, which I ascertained to be true two 
years thereafter. He speaks of my brother and 
mother being spirits. Mr. Kramer or Dallas 
knew nothing of their death, they having been 
dead for many \ r ears. He said: "I am about my 
old office number 30 Main St. and 78. " Neither 
Mr. Kramer, Dallas or I knew at the time the 
number of the Doctor's office while in life but 



40 death; the meaning and result. 

on subsequent investigation we found it to be 
number 30 Main St.; but what he meant by 78 
was a mystery to us all at the time and after- 
wards until I happened to remember that in 
about 1881 the Doctor had an office on Main 
St. further down from number 30. I followed 
down from number 30 Main St. until I came to 
number 76 and number 80, but the building be- 
tween these two numbers had no number on it 
that I was able to discover, but evidently should 
be number 78, and on inquiry found that the 
building was at one time numbered 78, but the 
number had become detached, and that Dr. 
Shoemaker at one time had an office in this 
building. While these things are of themselves 
trivial, thej^, however, form a chain of evidence 
and the spirit Doctor had made out a fairly 
good case in establishing his identity. 



CHAPTER II. 

The Spirit of William Schopperle Appears — The Spir- 
it of Dr. Shoemaker Appears — What Pie Says — Dr. 
Shoemaker's Further Effort to Prove Identity — Zith- 
er Played by Unseen Master — The Spirits of Dr. Eddy 
and George C. Steel Appear— What They Say— Spirit 
of Dr. Shoemaker Talks of Spirit Return. 

On September 22, 1893, 9:30 o'clock p. m., Mr. 
Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office. We 
formed about the table as on former occasions. 
Soon loud and distinct raps, so forcible as to 
perceptibly jar the table, came thick and fast. 
Soon Mr. Dallas said: "I see the outlines of a 
form near your chair, Mr. Wilson, it is now 
growing brighter and I can see it very plainly. 
It is a gentleman whom I do not know; I never 
saw him before as I remember; he has high cheek 
bones, sallow complexion, rather high forehead; 
his hair is straight, jet black and slightly streak- 
ed with gray, light weight, black mustache, 
streaked with gray; he has black eyes. He wish- 
es to speak to you, Mr. Wilson." I said: "All right 



42 death; the meaning and result. 

let him proceed." Mr. Dallas began speaking and 
said: "Good evening, Mr. Wilson; this gentleman 
is repeating after me so you may hear what I 
have to say. I am Will Schopperle who passed 
away at Warren, Pa. Dr. Shoemaker could not 
be here this evening but a few moments owing 
to other engagements, so he kindly brought me 
here and instructed me how to appear and talk 
in this way. This is the first time I have been 
back into earth's condition since I passed out of 
the body. They called it an asylum for the in- 
sane, but John, it is more a prison than anything 
else. When they took me there I did not know 
where I was going. I started from my brother's 
house in Oil City, in company with Johnnie Mo- 
ran. They told me they wanted me to look at 
an oil lease, but they fooled me and landed me 
in prison. I know now that I was mentally un- 
balanced at the time; but, John, I had plenty of 
money, near $40,000.00, and instead of putting 
me in that place in Warren they should have 
placed me in some private institution and had 
me treated for the ailment with which I was af- 
flicted. Some of my relatives thought more of 
getting my money than having me restored to 
health. They did me a great injustice, and retri- 
bution will surely overtake those who wronged 
me so much. Say, J. K., don't you remember 
when you and I used to go to Fred Meckel's 
place on Chambers Street to eat sauerkraut and 
speck, and drink beer?" I said: "Yes." "Well we 
used to meet many of the pipe line boys there. 



death; the meaning and result. 43 

Many whom we used to meet there I find over 
here on the spirit side of life. Many of them 
knew I was coming here to talk to you this 
evening, and they all wished to be remembered 
to you. Well, I am getting weak and must go. 
I thank you very much for allowing me to come 
here in this way, and for showing me so much 
indulgence; I will come again. Good night to 
all." Mr. Dallas stopped talking for a few mo- 
ments and then said: "Mr. Wilson the gentleman 
has left; he seemed to pass through the wall; he 
seemed to be very much pleased to have met 
you." 

After discussing the events of the evening Mr. 
Kramer, Dallas and myself separated. 

Note. We all expected that what purported 
to be the spirit of Dr. Shoemaker would visit 
us on this occasion, but in that we were disap- 
pointed. The shade we expected did not mani- 
fest but another instead, who claimed to be the 
spirit of Will Schopperle. I knew Mr. Shopperle 
very well in life. He was unknown by Mr. Dal- 
las. Mr. Schopperle lived in Bradford some 
eighteen years preceding his death. He lost his 
mental equipoise, and was taken to the asylum 
for the insane, at Warren, Pa., some three years 
previous to this sitting, and soon thereafter 
died, a fact known to me but unknown to Mr. 
Dallas. The description given of Mr. Schopperle 
by Dallas, as he came in view, is perfect. He 
says: "I started from my brother's home in Oil 
City in company with Johnnie Moran," a fact 



44 death; the meaning and result. 

unknown to any of the sitters at the time, but 
I have ascertained since that the statement of 
what purported to be the spirit of Schopperle 
was correct in every particular. He says: "Don't 
you remember when you and I used to go to 
Fred Heckel's on Chambers Street?" etc., which 
is a statement of a fact only known by me and 
Mr. Schopperle in his earth life, and forgotten by 
me, as that w^as twelve years previous, until 
now mentioned by this shade. It is also a fact 
that it was a popular resort for employes of the 
Pipe Line Company. Many of those whom Mr. 
Schopperle and myself have met there are now 
on the spirit side of life, a fact entirely unknown 
to Mr. Dallas at the time of this sitting, so 
that the shade, ghost or spirit, being repeated 
by Mr. Dallas, certainly said many things to- 
wards establishing Mr. Schopperle's identity. 

On September 24, 1893, 9 o'clock p. m., Dallas, 
Kramer and myself met at my office and formed 
about a table with hands resting thereon. Soon 
Mr. Dallas said: "Here come Dr. Shoemaker; I 
can see him very plainly and he asks me to re- 
peat after him so you may hear what he has to 
say." Mr. Dallas then proceeded to repeat as 
follows: "Good evening John." I said "Good 
evening Doctor." Mr. Dallas then said: "Good 
evening friends. I wall not stay long in view of 
Mr. Dallas at the present time; other spirits are 
here who wash to show themselves and be recog- 
nized. I will, however, come into view again 
later on in the evening." Mr. Dallas then said: 



death; the meaning and result. 45 

"Why, he has disapeared." Soon Mr. Dallas 
said: "Here comes an old lady and also a gen- 
tleman who has got her by the hand and is 
helping her along. They are moving toward 
where you are sitting, Mr. Wilson; now they are 
close by your side; the gentleman now steps 
away a few paces leaving the old lady by you. 
They are both strangers to me; I never saw them 
before; she has a round face, large high forehead, 
light complexion, light hair somewhat gray and 
parted a little to the left of the middle of the 
head; she is stout built not very tall and she 
has on her head what looks like a black lace 
cap; she has also what looks like a cape on her 
shoulders, the same material as her dress; she 
puts her arms about your neck, Mr. Wilson; she 
is trying to talk and says, 'John my dear boy 
I am your mother, Margaret Wilson; although 
I have been in the spirit land many years I have 
not forgotten you; I still love you as only a 
mother can love her son. John, how glad I am 
to be able to speak to you in this way. I am 
with you often and many times I have tried to 
talk to you but 1 could not make you hear. 
With the aid of your friend, Dr. Shoemaker, I 
am able to come into view of Mr. Dallas and 
talk to you in this way. I am weak and must 
go. I will come as often as I can to see you; 
good by John. " Mr. Dallas said: "She has disap- 
peared.' ' Mr. Dallas resumed: "The gentleman 
who helped the old lady to your side, Mr. Wil- 
son, now steps up to where you are sitting; 



46 death; the meaning and result. 

he places his hand on your shoulder and is facing 
me; he is tall, fully six feet, I should say, well 
built, brown hair and ej^es. The expression of 
his face and eyes somewhat resemble yours, Mr. 
Wilson; he is preparing to speak. He says: 'John, 
I am your brother, William Wilson, who passed 
into spirit life suddenly from Chicago, 111. My 
taking off was by poison taken by me through 
mistake. I supposed it to be medicine. My 
family consisting of Ellen, my wife, Eddie and 
Emma, my son and daughter, still live in Chi- 
cago. George, my youngest son, is with me in 
spirit life. I came here this evening with mother 
who has been talking to you, Tohn you did not 
enquire about me but I suppose 1 am welcome 
to come with the rest all the same. I wish to 
have a talk with you when no person is present 
in the body on your side of life exce ;. Dal- 

las and you. I cannot stay longer and will say 
good bye-.' Why he has disappeared." After 
resting for a few seconds Mr. Dallas proceeded: 
"Now I see a number of people in a group; in 
the group I see Dr. Shoemaker, your mother and 
brother, Mr. Wilson, Mrs. Kramer and a gentle- 
man I have never seen before. Now, Dr. Shoe- 
maker steps apart from the group and says: 
John, I saw you at the Democratic National 
Convention in Chicago on the 21st and 22d of 
June, 1892. You were in the company of Rob- 
ert Mason of this city a part of the time. When 
you went into the building called the wigwam, 
you entered through the Madison street entrance 



death; the meaning and RESULT. 4-i 

and occupied a seat in section E of the building. 
I heard Air Abbot make the nomination speech 
placing Grover Cleveland before the convention. 
Mr. Wilson, a name sake of yours, presided as 
permanent chairman. You stopped during your 
stay in Chicago at the Atlantic Hotel, corner 
Van Buren and Sherman streets, of which Geo. 
Cummings and F. H. Cummings were the pro- 
prietors. I got no opportunity, of course, 
to talk to you at the time. I tried to make my 
presence known to you but could not. John, do 
not think I was in Chicago at that time en 
purpose to attend the convention; you will re- 
member that I was a Republican when in earth 
life. I was in Chicago at that time to v: 

1 of mine, Charles Holman, who lives in 
Chicago. John. I think you will remember 
Charlie Holman. H I tc keej: woks for the 

Tuna Valley Bank, in Bradford and afterwards 
was an oil broker on the Bradford Oil Ex- 
change. "' I said: "Doctor, I do nc t at me 
call to memory who Charlie Holman is. Perhaps 
I knew him by sigfht but have forgotten him." 
Mr. Dallas resumed: U I am quite certain you 
will remember him on reflection. I am sorry, 
John, that I could not stay longer with you 
night before last. I desired to witness an oper- 
ation for fistula which I learned was going to 
be performed at Ann Arbor University. I grad- 
uated in the medical profession at Ann Arbor 
and naturally feel an attachment for the insti- 
tution. I expect to visit our mutual friend John 



48 death; the meaning and result. 

Eckbert, soon. Well I must go. Now, John, you 
will not doubt spirit return, and that I am 
really who I represent myself to be, after what 
I have said and after giving you such proof of 
my identity ?" I answered and said: ' 'Doctor, 
you have certainly said much to prove to me 
that you are really who you represent yourself 
to be." Mr. Dallas resumed: "Good night, Air. 
Dallas; good night, Mr. Kramer; good night, 
John. Why he has disappeared.' ' Mr. Dallas 
stopped talking for about two minutes and gave 
a sudden start, looking in a certain direction 
and said: "Why here is Sam McBride. He 
walked into this room as natural as anybody. 
He looks just as he did before he died. This is 
the only spirit I have seen whom I knew in 
earth life. This is all very strange to me; there 
goes Mc Bride through the wall. He did not 
speak.' ' Shortly after this we separated for the 
evening. 

Note. This sitting is certainly freighted with 
evidence to me astounding, and entirely unex- 
pected. At this meeting as well as on former 
occasions, I had made no requests for the pres- 
ence of any particular spirits or any special line 
of evidence; in fact I was there to receive what 
might come, and to observe what might be pro- 
duced with no requests mentally or otherwise. 
Mr. Dallas or Kramer knew nothing of my rel- 
atives either living or dead. I expected that the 
spirit or intelligence calling himself Dr. Shoe- 
maker would manifest at this meeting and was 



death; the meaning and result. 49 

expecting no other shades or spirits until the 
shade of Dr. Shoemaker came into Mr. Dallas' 
view and said: " Other spirits are here who wish 
to show themselves and be recognized." I was 
all attention however, and curious to know who 
the " other spirits" were. Then as Mr. Dallas 
proceeded, he described to perfection my mother, 
whom he claimed he could plainly see and whose 
body had been laid in a grave twenty years pre- 
vious to this time; at the same time stating a 
fact known to me only that during her life she 
wore her hair parted "a little to the left of the 
middle of her head." Also concerning her attire. 
For many years previous to her death she wore 
a black lace cap partly covering her head, and 
also a cape about her shoulders invariably the 
"same material as her dress." This certainly 
could not have been known to Mr. Dallas or 
Kramer. My mother left no photograph of her- 
self, never having a picture of any kind taken 
during her earth life. Mr. Dallas repeated: "I 
am your mother, Margaret Wilson." That was 
my mother's name, certainly unknown to Dallas 
or Kramer. 

Then she disappeared and another spirit 
steps to the front and Mr. Dallas repeats 
after him saying: "I am } r our brother, William 
Wilson," and proceeds to relate the place of his 
taking off, the cause, the persons, naming them, 
of his family living on this side, and the one in 
spirit life, all of which are correct, and facts cer- 
tainly be^^ond the possible knowledge of either 



50 death; the meaning and result. 

of the other sitters. Now follows a correct 
statement of facts in this sitting, by Dr Shoe- 
maker, he being repeated by Mr. Dallas, which 
are true in every particular and were unknown 
by either Mr. Dallas or Kramer at the time. 
He says that I was "at the Democratic National 
Convention at Chicago the 21 and 22 of June, 
1892/ ' which is true. He says he saw me there; 
but I have only his word for that, coupled with 
the query, however, how could he make the 
statement, including dates, unless he did see me 
there as claimed? He says: "You were in the 
company of Robert Mason of this city a part ol 
the time," which is true. He says: "When you 
went into the building called the Wigwam, you 
entered through the Madison Street entrance, 
and occupied a seat in section E of the building 
in which the Convention was held." That is a 
true statement. He says: "You stopped during 
your stay in Chicago at the Atlantic Hotel, cor- 
ner of Van Buren and Sherman Streets, of which 
Geo. Cummings and F. H. Cummings were pro- 
prietors," which is a true statement. At the 
time this was given to me by the Doctor I had 
forgotten who the proprietors of the Atlantic 
Hotel were at the time spoken of, but on subse- 
quent investigation I find he gave the names 
correctly. 

Then the spirit speaks of Charles Holman. 
I could not at the time recall who Charley 
Holman was of whom he was speaking. The 
spirit proceeds: "John, I think you will re- 



death; the meaning and result. 51 

member Charley Holman. He used to keep 
books for the Tuna Valley Bank, in Bradford, 
and afterwards was an oil broker on the Brad- 
ford Oil Exchange." Now here is a statement of 
facts entirly unknown to me at the time. I did 
not know who Charley Holman was. If I ever 
did know I had forgotten. I did not know- 
that he kept books for the Tuna Valley Bank, 
which was ten years previous to this sitting, and 
it would be nonsense to suppose that Dallas 
knew of this circumstance which happened when 
he was a mere lad in Scotland. I have, however, 
on investigation ascertained that what the shade 
said in relation to Charley Holman and his em- 
ployment was true. Now think of it. Here was 
what purported to be the spirit of W. P. Shoe- 
maker whose body had been lying in the grave 
nearly five years previous to this conversation. 
He was buried with Masonic honors. I being a 
Mason and a friend of the Doctor's, was one of 
the pall bearers at his funeral and burial. I saw 
his body in the coffin, helped to carry it to its 
resting place, helped to lower it in the grave, 
and vet in less than five Years thereafter his 
spirit claimed to be in my presence, as much 
alive, if not more so, than when in the body, 
relating to me circumstances with the view of 
establishing to ray satisfaction his identity at 
the time, and removing if possible all doubt in 
my mind that it was other than the spirit 
addressing me by being repeated by this won- 
derful Mr. Dallas. I could not see him. I could 



52 death; the meaning and result. 

not hear him talk or speak, but what has been 
said and done in this sitting cannot be explained 
by me, only in one way; that my friend, Dr. 
W. P. Shoemaker, had been speaking to me in 
this strange and unaccountable manner. 

On September 27, 1893, 9:30 p. m., Mr. Dal- 
las, Kramer and myself formed about the table 
in the manner before described . In a few mo- 
ments distinct raps came upon the table. Soon 
Mr. Dallas said: "Mr. Wilson I see a gentleman 
standing by your chair; it is the same gentleman 
you called Schopperle the other evening; he tries 
to talk but I cannot hear what he says. He is 
trying to tell something about Oil City; he has 
disappeared/' After sitting a few moments I asked 
if any spirits were present, and we immeditely 
heard three distinct raps signifying yes. I had a 
zither in the room on which Mr. Dallas, Kramer 
or myself could not play a tune, and more in 
levity than otherwise, I said: "Are there any 
spirits here who can play on this instrument ?" 
Pointing to the zither. Answer in raps, "yes." 
"Would you play?" "Yes," I then placed the 
zither in a position at least four feet from either 
Dallas, Kramer or myself, entirely out of reach 
and in view of all. I said: "Now- play on it if 
possible." I had no idea that a sound would 
proceed from the instrument. I cannot describe 
my astonishment when immediately the scale 
was sounded loud and clear. My astonishment 
increased when "Home Sweet Home" with var- 
iations, was played and four tunes thereafter; all 



death; the meaning and result. 53 

so well played that it was evidence that the 
zither was being manipulated by a skilled mas- 
ter of music. I watched the instrument closely 
while being played. I could see nothing about 
it that indicated its manipulation except the vi- 
bration of the strings as they produced the 
sound in the music. After talking a while of 
what had so strangely taken place we separated 
for the evening. 

On October 4, 1893, 9:15 p. m., Mr. Dallas, 
Kramer and myself met at my office; having 
formed about the table soon loud and distinct 
raps were heard on the table, on the chairs and 
on the floor near by. I felt a cold sensation, 
and a local disturbance of the atmosphere about 
me. In a few moments Mr. Dallas said: "Here 
comes Dr. Shoemaker; also two other gentlemen 
with him, one on each side of him holding on to 
his arm; he seems to be helping them along; 
they are now standing still, and they are look- 
ing at you, Air. Wilson; they seem to be convers- 
ing with each other. I see their lips move but I 
do not hear what they are saying. Now one of 
the gentlemen leaves Dr. Shoemaker's side and 
advances to the side of your chair on which you 
are sitting. I do not know this gentleman. I 
never saw him before. He is not very tall, about 
five feet nine, stout in build, brown hair, heavy 
weight brown mustache, light complexion, large 
head, high full forehead; he wears a black prince 
albert coat buttoned up; he has a quick firm step 
and is rather pompous in demeanor but has a 



54 death; the meaning and result. 

kind expression. He requests me to repeat after 
him; he says: "Mr. Wilson I came here through 
the kindness of Dr. Shoemaker. I used to know 
you well in Edenburg, Pa. I was a practicing 
physician at that place. I passed to spirit life 
from Edendurg, very suddenly; you no doubt 
will remember the occurrence when I tell you 
who I am, and I think you will recognize me 
when I say that I am Dr. W. D. Eddy and am 
now talking to you through the help of your 
friend, Mr. Dallas, who is a stranger to me." 
I said: "Dr. Eddy I remember you well, though 
it has been so long ago, I have not recalled you 
to my mind for years.' ' 

Mr. Dallas proceeded: "Yes, Mr. Wilson, I 
have been in spirit life for about fifteen years. 
I am very glad to have this opportunity to let 
you know that I am as much alive, if not more 
so, now than when you knew me in the earth 
life, although by many friends I have been mourn- 
ed as dead. I am glad, very glad, to meet you, 
Air. Wilson, in this way; I can't stay in view 
longer, but hope I may have the pleasure oi 
meeting you again soon. Good bye to you and 
your friends here/ He has gone." 

After resting a few moments Mr. Dallas pro- 
ceeded and said: "Now the other gentleman who 
came with Dr. Shoemaker advances to your side; 
he puts his hand on your shoulder and looks at 
you and smiles. He is a stranger to me. He is 
slender in build, light hair, large blue eyes, and 
has a very pleasant and cheerful expression. 



death; the meaning and result. 55 

He says: "Why, Air. Wilson, I am so glad to 
meet you in this way. Dr. Shoemaker .had the 
kindness to bring me here and show me how to 
make myself visible and heard by }^our friend, 
Mr. Dallas. I am a member of Dr. Shoemaker's 
school on the spirit side of life. I knew you very 
well at Edenburg, Pa. I lived while there on 
the corner of Alain and State Streets, in what 
is called the Alendenhall property. I think you 
will remember me, though it has been a long 
time since we met. We used to meet occasionally, 
if you remember, at Ira Hathaway's restaurant, 
in Edenburg. I am George C. Steel. I am not 
able to stay long at this time but will come 
again if I get an opportunity. Good night." 

"He has gone from view. Dr. Shoemaker has 
been in full view during the time these gentlemen 
were talking to you; it seemed to please him 
very much when you recognized them. He now 
moves up close to your side, facing me. He says: 
'Good evening friends. I am very glad to be 
among you again.' " We all said: "Good evening 
Doctor." I then said: "Doctor can I sa} 7 a few 
words?" He replied through Air. Dallas: "Cer- 
tainly, say what you wish." I then said: "Dr. 
Shoemaker, I wish to say to you, that I thank 
you very much for what you have done for me 
and my friends here in proving to me and them 
by such indubitable and incontrovertable proof 
of the continuity of life after passing through 
the transition commonly called death, and that 
spirits can and do return and converse with 



56 death; the meaning and result. 

spirits still in the flesh. I can speak for myself, 
and I think I can say for my friends here, that 
we all owe to you a debt of gratitude which I 
am fearful we shall never be able to repay. We 
all appreciate your kindness in making this 
great truth so clear to us, and in giving so much 
certainty and light on this subject/ ' 

Mr. Dallas then proceeded and said: "Dr. 
Shoemaker says: "I am only too happy to do 
what I can along these lines for all of you. I 
will say this; we are now entertaining upon the 
verge of this deep and almost impassible abyss, 
which mighty ocean mediums only are able to 
span. It is beyond conception of any in your 
sphere of life, indeed we of the spirit world re- 
quire all our power and force to attain this 
result. We are forming a power on your side of 
life, which, when completed, will be almost incom- 
prehensible. The result will not only be highly 
beneficial to mankind in general, but will destroy 
this iron-bound spirit of selfishness which is so 
rife, and which has remained in its fulness since 
the creation of man; which has been a prominent 
attribute through all ages, and is today as it 
was in the formation and development, even on 
our side of life. We, as spirits, have this element 
to contend with. Spirits in the spirit world are 
more or less selfish. They bring with them their 
earthly selfish characteristics into the spirit world, 
but the great spirit of love predominates over 
here, and rules with such power that sometime 
the darkness shall be dispelled and this wicked 



death; the meaning and result. 57 

attribute be destroyed. Then love and harmony 
shall reign and spread with the wings of thought, 
till all developed spirits shall know selfishness no 
more and be brought into the radius of har- 
mony and love and understand and appreciate 
this great and beautiful immortality. Love is 
our power. It comes to us from still higher 
intelligences. It grows and will continue to 
grow until it will fill the entire universe, unfold- 
ing itself, it will roll on and on to one everlast- 
ing happiness. I will now leave you for the 
present. I will come again. Good night to all.' 
The Doctor has gone." * Soon after this Air. Dal- 
las, Kramer and myself separated for the night. 
Xote. At this meeting unexpected shades came 
forward. It seemed to me, judging by what was 
said, that their object, one and all, was to prove 
xo me their identity. They said nothing of impor- 
tance, but frequent reference by them to incidents 
happening in their life time, known to me, I 
think bears me out in this conclusion: The first 
unexpected one claimed to be the spirit of Dr. 
W. D. Eddy. I knew Dr. Eddy in life, during 
1877, at Edenburg, Pa. He was entirely un- 
known to Kramer and Dallas. I think it was 
in the fall of 1877 or spring of 1878 that Dr. 
Edd} r passed suddenly away. Air. Dallas on this 
occasion described the Doctor, as I remember him, 
very accurately in appearance, manner and style 
of dress. At this time he tells me his initials 
are W. D. If I ever knew them I had forgotten, 
but on investigation since this occurrence I find 



58 death; the meaning and result. 

that, sure enough, his initials were, W. D. Eddy. 
The next to be repeated by Mr. Dallas purport- 
ed to be one whom I knew quite well in 1877 
and 1878. I had not thought of him for years. 
Mr. Dallas never knew him in life, still he gave 
me a correct description of the appearance and 
personality of this shade who tells me he is 
George C. Steel. I knew him in earth life as 
George Steel. I did not know he had a middle 
initial but on this occasion he announces himself 
as George C. Steel. On investigation since this 
meeting, I have ascertained that he gave me the 
correct name including the initial C. being the 
name be bore in earth life. He mentioned the 
location where he lived when I knew him, and 
the occasional meeting at Hathaway' s restau- 
rant, all of which are facts. My conclusions are 
that by mentioning so many things in their lives, 
known long ago to me, has established their 
identity, and having that in my mind I addressed 
Dr. Shoemaker orally as mentioned in the record 
to which he replied in his characteristic way. 



CHAPTER III. 

Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Makes Date for Meeting — Dallas 
Tardy — The Effect — Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Appears — 
Gives us Advice — Divulges a Plan — Obstacles to Over- 
come — Selfish Spirits — The Spirit of O. P. Happer 
Appears — What He Says to Establish Identity — The 
Spirits of Dr. Eddy, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Kramer, Mr. 
Schopperle and Others Appear— Strange Light — Mrs. 
Wilson and Mrs. Kramer Come In View. 

On October 10, 1893, 9 p. m., Kramer, Dallas 
and myself met and formed about the table. 
Soon loud raps came upon the table. After wait- 
ing for some time, and Mr. Dallas not being able 
to see spirits or hear them talk, I said: "Is Dr. 
Shoemaker here?" "Yes," by raps. "Can you 
show yourself to Mr. Dallas this evening?" "No," 
"Are conditions bad for demonstrations?" An- 
swer, "Yes." "Shall I name some evening to sit?" 
Answer, "Yes." "Will Friday evening, October 
13, suit you?" Answer, "Yes." And according- 
ly we all agreed on Friday evening, October 13, 
9 o'clock p. m., for our next meeting. Soon 
thereafter we separated for the night. 



60 death; the meaning and result. 

October 13, 1893. As stated informer record, 
our meeting was set for 9 o'clock p. m., on this 
date. Air. Dallas was at the time employed in 
a jewelry store in this place. The store closed 
at 9 p. m. as a rule, and according to previous 
arrangements, Mr. Dallas was to meet Mr. Kra- 
mer and myself at nine p. m. sharp or sooner if 
he could get excused by his employer. Mr. Kra- 
mer came to my office at 8:15 p. m. We w^aited 
until 9 o'clock for Mr. Dallas but he did not re- 
port. We waited until 9:30 still Mr. Dallas did 
not put in an appearance. I concluded that Mr. 
Dallas w^as not going to keep his appointment. 

I started out of my office" a intending to go down 
the street. I stopped at the hall door, then step- 
ped otit upon the street. I looked up the street 
and saw Mr. Dallas coming down in the direc- 
tion where I was standing. He was walking 
very rapidly, almost a run, and had a side front 
as though he was being hurried along by some 
one beside himself. I thought his stride and 
position strange. Soon he reached the place 
where I was standing. I spoke to him and said: 
"Good evening Mr. Dallas, I concluded you had 
given up your appointment." He paid no atten- 
tion to me or to what I said and I noticed as 
he passed me he had the expression and deport- 
ment indicating something out of the ordinary. 

After he had passed me and entered the hall 
of the block, without slackening his pace, he 
turned and said: " Please come with us into the 
office; a gentleman is here with me who wishes 



death; the meaning and result. 61 

to meet you in your office. " I then followed 
him into my office in company with Mr. Kramer. 
He seemed to be excited and had a look or ex- 
pression indicating perplexity. He said: "Why 
this beats anything; I was writing a letter in 
the store where I am emplo3^ed and all at once 
your friend Dr. Shoemaker appeared by my side 
and said to me: 'Mr. Dallas have you forgotten 
your engagement at Mr. Wilson's office this even- 
ing? The time is past that you were to report 
there and Mr. Wilson is tired of waiting for you 
and is about to leave his office; put on your 
overcoat and please come with me.' The Doctor 
then took me by the arm and led me out of the 
store and down the street as fast as I could go 
and ;into your office, so here I am. And the 
Doctor has stepped through the door into the 
rear office; he desires us to form around the 
table as usual." I said to Mr. Dallas: "Could 
you see the Doctor when he was coming down 
the street with you?" Mr. Dallas said: "Yes, 
just as plainly as I see you now, and heard him 
talk to me as plainly as I did when you asked 
this question." 

Immediately following, Mr. Dallas, Kramer 
and myself formed about the table. We heard 
loud raps on the table and on the back of the 
chair in which Mr. Dallas was seated. Soon 
Mr. Dallas said: "Here comes Dr. Shoemaker 
and wishes me to repeat after him. He says: 'I 
am glad the conditions are such that I am able 
to communicate with you with such ease. I 



62 death; the meaning and result. 

have been very busy with the work, arranging 
things and conditions whereby we may be able 
to communicate with you at all times and places 
readily with comparative ease. I am happy to 
say that we are progressing nicely. Now I 
would like to give you some advice which I know 
will benefit our cause by establishing this direct 
line of communication. In the first place you 
have had demonstrated to you greater, more 
wonderful, powerful and I may say more beauti- 
ful features of spirit possibilities than have ever 
before been given by spirit to mortal, and our 
friends on the spirit side of life are happy to 
know that you have the appreciation of the 
worth and import of the demonstrations which 
have been given to you. We give you this proof 
and evidence of immortality, spirit return and 
communion, not only for your own personal 
satisfaction, but also that you may be able to 
teach others these great and glorious truths. 
We as spirits on our side of life feel, and think 
we know that, in selecting you to spread the 
tidings of great joy, we have chosen wisely, and 
that you will earnestly and candidly perform the 
trust thus imposed on you by the spirit world. 
It is the highest aim and greatest ambition of 
the better class of spirits to open up an unob- 
structed intercommunication between the spirit 
side of life and earth on the earth plane, to the 
end that all may know that they are immortal, 
and that their conditions in spirit life depend on 
the characteristics formed and propagated on 



death; the meaning and result. 63 



the earth side of life. We could do this with 
ease and dispatch if the obstacles were confined 
to the earth plane; but we must tell you, as 
strange as it may seem to you, that we have 
forces to overcome superinduced by selfish and 
designing spirits on our side of life, whose de- 
sign seems to be to hinder and prevent the true 
light shedding its effulgent rays on the bosom of 
mother earth. We know, however, that we shall 
be able to brush aside those barriers which sel- 
fish spirits have, as they think, so well builded. 
Now let me say further; this is new, and to you 
strange and somewhat startling, and fixes upon 
you a great responsibility, but we promise to 
make your burden light and yoke easy. You 
will be able to face the world with this great 
truth in perfect equanimity and with the brav- 
ery worthy of the cause and raze to the ground, 
so to speak, the strong walls of superstition 
which is a child of ignorance. At first jon must 
not be too zealous in this work; do not try to 
hurry and thus over-reach your strength; but 
have a time set for all things. When you have 
fully entered into this work give it your entire 
attention. When you are not in communication 
with us have your mind free and at rest or em- 
ployed by light diversion. If, in our absence from 
you a spirit should call on you, treat him as you 
would a friend, but be not over-indulgent with 
him, and when he has spoken let him pass on. 
Many things will be shown to you in the future 
that will astonish you, and at first seem to you 



64 death; the meaning and result. 

incredible. Bear in mind that those things are 
born among yon, and it is their first appearance 
from our side. Do not have over-confidence in 
yourself. But let perfect harmony prevail among 
you, and slowly but surely you will reach the 
highest pinnacle of success in understanding and 
teaching those truths. I will say again that it 
is our highest hope and most cherished wish, 
that with our help you will be able to convince 
the world of immortal life and everlasting hap- 
piness which awaits all men and women and all 
human beings in the spirit w r orld. I will now 
help other spirits who are here to show them- 
selves to the medium and talk so that he may 
repeat what they say.' " 

Mr. Dallas rested about two minutes and then 
said: "Here comes a gentleman whom I have 
not seen before; he is rather slender in build, a 
little stooped and has a brown mustache; he 
moves up to your chair, Mr. Wilson, and says: 
'Good evening, Mr. Wilson. I am here through 
the kindness of Dr. Shoemaker. I came direct 
here from Little Washington, Pa., my former 
home. I was visiting there. I knew you quite 
well, Mr. Wilson, about fifteen years ago, at 
Edenburg, Pa. I have been in spirit life for quite 
a few years, but I was sort of paralyzed or dor- 
mant, and did not know or care much where I 
was until Dr. Shoemaker, whom I used to know 
in earth life, came across me and lifted me 
out of the careless and despondent condition 
in which I have been since in spirit life and 




t 



. ^A\. ©autas, 



death; the meaning and result. 65 

taught me that I was a spirit and informed me 
of my possibilities as such. Many spirits are in 
the same condition 1 was in, and have to be 
taught and helped to grasp the fact that they 
are out of the physical body and really a spirit 
in the spirit world. I knew nothing of the phil- 
osophy of spirit return to earth until taught by 
Dr. Shoemaker and many, yes, very many, spirits 
are as ignorant about it as I was. This is a 
wonderful great truth in coming to earth and 
communicating in this waj^. This truth and its 
philosophy is known but to the fewest number 
even in the spirit w^orld, or at least in the sphere 
in which I am located. As it becomes known 
on our side it creates great joy and happiness, 
and myriads seek to learn the way so as to do 
good and communicate with the loved ones on 
earth. You are well known Mr. Wilson, and 
have many friends on the spirit side of life. You 
are doing- a great work in assisting to open up 
a communication between earth and the spirit 
world. Spirits over here are talking about you 
and your work almost constantly. You will, I 
think, remember me, Mr. Wilson, when I tell 
you I am Lawyer 0. P. Happer." ' I said after 
thinking a minute or so in trying to remember 
him: "Mr. Happer I do not recall you; I do not 
remember you." He then said: "Well, it is some 
time ago that we met, but I think I can refresh 
your memory so you will remember me. Do you 
remember a man who lived in Edenburg by the 
the name of Ben Painter?" I said: "Yes." Mr. 



66 death; the meaning and result. 

Dallas then proceeded, "Well, do you remember 
a building on Main Street, in Edenburg, called 
the Wigwam?" I said: "Yes." "Well, do 3-ou 
remember that in 1877 a man who was room- 
ing in that building with Ben Painter was acci- 
dentally shot at a time when Mr. Painter and 
this man were preparing to attend Mr. Paint- 
er's wedding?" I said: "Yes I remember." 
"Well I am the man that was shot at the time 
and place." I remembered the circumstances as 
related by this shade and then recalled who Mr. 
Happer was. I had never been intimately ac- 
quainted with him but knew him and had spok- 
en to him before his death. I said: "Mr. Hap- 
per, after relating the circumstances, place and 
time of your taking off I remember you well and 
am glad you called on me in this way. I have 
not only had the pleasure of meeting you but by 
your talk I have learned much." 

Mr. Dallas then said: "I see Dr. Shoemaker 
beckoning to me and I must go; good night." 
Mr. Dallas said: "The gentleman has disappear- 
ed." After Mr. Dallas had rested about five 
minutes he continued and said: "Dr. Shoemaker 
now comes into plain view and says: "I will 
now try and focus our forces so you, Mr. Wil- 
son, and Air. Kramer, can see your spirit friends. 
Why there now comes into view besides Dr. 
Shoemaker, Dr. Eddy, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Kram- 
er, Mr. Schopperle, Mr. 0. P. Happer and many 
others whom I have never seen before. They 
have formed a circle by joining hands in the 



death; the meaning and result. 67 

rear of where we are sitting; they all seem to 
have their eyes fixed on a point to the left of 
where you are sitting, Mr. Wilson.' ' I looked 
in the direction indicated by Mr. Dallas, and 
saw a light about four feet from where I sat. 
When I first saw it, it was round in shape and 
about two inches in diameter; at first it seemed 
to be unsteady and slightly moving and not 
very bright. I kept my gaze fixed on it. It be- 
came more steady and brighter, and changed 
from a light vapory appearance to a bright 
color resembling an illumination by electric ap- 
pliances. Shortly it begun to increase in dimen- 
sion and expanded retaining its brightness until 
it was at least 12 inches in diameter; shortly 
after assuming such proportions I observed 
something with dim outlines approaching the 
light from the side remotest from me; the dim 
outlines approached slowly but steadily; nearer 
and nearer it came to the light, and soon the 
outlines so dim at first passed into and almost 
through the light. I looked with rapture and 
astonishment, spell bound with ecstacy, for there 
before me, radiant with joy and such an expression 
of love as only can light the countenance of a 
mother on meeting her child, stood my beloved 
mother, who had been, or all that was mortal 
of her, laid in the cold earth twenty years pre- 
vious. There could be no mistake; there she 
stood looking exactly as she looked when I 
knew her so well on earth. Only one word 
was spoken while she remained in my view and 



68 death; the meaning and result. 

that by me and that was ' 'mother ;" the only 
answer by her was a sweet smile. I could not 
talk, I was too full for utterance. I thought of 
that home in which I was reared in which the 
brightest jewel was that mother, who so long 
mourned as dead still lived, of which fact there 
was a living witness before me. Slowly she 
vanished from my view, but the impression is 
and always will be with me. Soon after the 
the first light and its results had vanished anoth- 
er light appeared, in appearance much as the 
first which I have described. Soon a face ap- 
proached it and came into view. It was a 
strange face to me. I did not know it. Mr. 
Kramer said nothing. Mr. Dallas then spoke 
and said: "Mr. Kramer that is your wife try- 
ing to come into view so you can see her." Mr. 
Kramer said: "It don't appear plain to me. I can 
see the outlines, but it seems dim to me." In a 
short time the second light disappeared from 
view. Mr. Dallas then said: "The Doctor says, 
'That the forces are getting weak and that they 
will not be able to do more tonight.' I then 
thanked the Doctor for what he had done. Soon 
thereafter Dallas, Kramer and myself separated 
for the evening. 

Note. The events occurring at this sitting 
were of a nature very much unexpected to me, 
and very far beyond anything I had seen or 
heard or supposed within the pale of possibili- 
ties. In the previous sittings I had been startl- 
ed and confounded, but this as the record shows 



death; the meaning and result. 69 

is bej^ond anything occurring heretofore. I had 
supposed up to this sitting that the demonstra- 
tions by Dr. Shoemaker, and by other shades 
under his supervision had been produced to 
prove to me that there was life after so-called 
death, and to show me that my friends and ac- 
quaintances I mourned as silent in death lived, 
moved and had their being, and that was the 
limit in view by my spirit friend. In this record 
a further object is developed, for the Doctor 
says: "We give you this proof and evidence,' 9 
etc. "not only for your own personal satisfac- 
tion, but also that you may be able to teach 
others these great and glorious truths." In this 
as in other walks of life, the more opportunities 
the more knowledge, and as opportunities and 
knowledge increase, responsibilities multiply. He 
also informs us that they have obstacles to 
surmount and difficulties to overcome emanating 
from selfish spirits on his side of life. If that be 
so not all spirits are angels as we have been 
taught to think of them. 

Here comes another spirit to the fore as the 
record shows, who calls himself 0. P. Happer 
saying that he knew me in Edenburg in 1877, 
sixteen years previous to this sitting, and that 
his former home was in Washington, Pa. When 
this spirit spoke to me I had no recollection of 
ever having met him, but the way he refreshed 
my memory brought to my recollection who he 
was. I slightly knew Mr. Happer who was ac- 
cidently shot in 1877 at Edenburg; but so long 



70 death; the meaning and result. 

a time had elapsed, and he, at the time being 
only slightly known to me; the man, and circum- 
stances of his taking off had entirely escaped 
from my mind. At the time this sitting was go- 
ing on, I did not know that the Happer I recall- 
ed was O. P., James or George, or that he lived 
in Washington, Pa. before the time I recalled 
having met him. On investigation after this sit- 
ting I have ascertained that 0. P. were his ini- 
tials and that his former home was Washington, 
Pa. All other things stated by him on this oc- 
casion are true. Of course Mr. Dallas who was 
repeating after the spirit, had never heard of 0. 
P. Happer or anything concerning his life or 
death. 

Greater things and more astounding wonders, 
however, were to follow as the record shows. 
Up to this sitting all demonstrations had been 
addressed to only one of my five senses, the 
sense of hearing. I had heard raps and heard 
what the purported spirits had to say by being 
repeated by Mr. Dallas, but I had seen nothing. 
Read the record, and then imagine yourself in 
my place, in beholding in the manner I describ- 
ed, my mother, whom I had mourned as silent 
in death for twenty years. Truly seeing in this 
instance at least, "is the naked truth." Condi- 
tions had been made whereby not only my 
serse of hearing was addressed by spirits present, 
but my sense of sight as well. I asked myself 
at the time, and am still inquiring, "has spirit 
power any limit?' ' 



CHAPTER IV. 

Spirits Can Read Thoughts — Xew Element in Circle— 
W. S. Brown Present — How it Happened— Spirits of 
Theodore Marlin, Dr. Shoemaker, Ira Hathaway, 
John P. McQuiston, Airs. Miller and Plum Mitchell 
Appear — What They Say to Brown — What Plum 
Mitchell Said to Wilson — Who These Spirits W^ere in 
Earth Life — Ed. O' Davis Present— His Experience — 
Indian Spirits Appear — The Effect Explained b} r 
Spirit Mitchell — Spirit of Peter Spargo Appears — 
What He Says — Spirit Wife of J. L. Kramer Appears 
— What She Says — Further Experience With Indian 
Spirits. 

On October 17, 1893, nine o'clock p. m., Dal- 
las, Kramer and myself met at my office. Be- 
fore I proceed with the record of what occurred 
at this meeting I wish to state what I omitted 
to mention in the previous record of October 13. 
About the time Dr. Shoemaker was to take his 
departure on the evening of October 13, I asked 
the Doctor if he could as a spirit read my 
thoughts, or in other words tell what I was 
thinking at a given time; he replied: "I think I 



72 death; the meaning and result. 

can. Now think of some thing or person and I 
will tell you what your thoughts are." 

I then proceeded to formulate thoughts with- 
out proclaiming them as follows: "Dr. Shoe- 
maker, do you remember W. S. Brown who liv- 
ed at Edenburg when you were there? And if 
so would it be agreeable to you to have Mr. 
Brown present in this office next Tuesday even- 
ing, October 17, and witness what manifesta- 
tions you may be able to give of spirit power?" 
Mr. Dallas immediately said: "The Doctor wish- 
es me to repeat after him, he says: 'Yes I remem- 
ber the gentleman well. Have him come as 
you suggest and we will see what can be done/ " 
I thanked the Doctor and said: "All right." I said 
nothing to Mr. Dallas or Kramer as to what 
the Doctor meant by these instructions. 

I went to Mr. Brown the next day and said 
to him that I was investigating Spiritualism 
somewhat and asked him if he would like to 
join me in a sitting at my office the following 
Tuesday evening. Mr. Brown said: "I know 
nothing about Spiritualism whatever, but I am 
always anxious to find out all I can. I shall be 
glad to come to your office if there is anything 
to learn." I told Mr. Brown nothing whatever 
of what I had been getting along these lines. 
So it was arranged that Mr. Brown should re- 
port at my office on the evening stated. I found 
out that Mr. Brown was a stranger to both 
Dallas and Kramer and said nothing to them 
about my arrangements with him. 



death; the meaning and result. 73 

I arranged to have Mr. Brown come to the 
office on this evening before Mr. Dallas or Mr. 
Kramer came and accordingly Mr. Brown came 
at 8 o'clock p. m. I then explained to Mr. 
Brown that I expected two other gentlemen to 
be present, but I desired to secrete him in the 
room in such a way that neither of them would 
know of his presence, to which Mr. Brown con- 
sented. Before Mr. Dallas or Kramer came I 
had Mr. Brown placed so he could not be seen 
by either Dallas or Kramer. 

Kramer reported at my office at 8:45 and 
Dallas at 9 p. m. We formed about the table 
as usual and soon very distinct raps were heard. 
In a short time Mr. Dallas said: "Here comes 
Dr. Shoemaker and with him are two gentlemen 
who are strangers to me; I never saw them be- 
fore. They all seem to lack strength; the Doctor 
is trying to talk, I see his lips move but cannot 
hear what he says, why, now they have disap- 
peared from view." Mr. Dallas said nothing for 
a few moments and then resumed: "Here comes 
Dr. Shoemaker and with him are the same two 
gentlemen who appeared a few moments ago. 
One of these gentleman leaves Dr. Shoemaker 
passes the chair you are sitting in, Mr. Wilson. 
He seems to be talking to someone. He says: 
'I used to know you well, Mr. Brown, I knew 
you in Edenburg, Pa., some years ago. I came 
here this evening through the kindness of Dr. 
Shoemaker. You will remember me, Mr. Brown, 
when I tell you I am Theodore Marlin. I used 



74 death; the meaning and result. 

to be a close neighbor to you when you lived in 
Edenburg. Do you remember me Mr. Brown?' " 
Mr. Brown then spoke for the first time after 
Dallas and Kramer came in the office and said: 
44 Why I remember Mr. Marlin well." Mr. Dallas 
resumed: " 'Well, I am glad you remember me. 
I cannot stay long; other spirits are here who 
wish to speak to you.' He has disappeared/ ' 

"The other spirit who came with the Doctor 
now goes over to where the first spirit stood 
and says: 4 Good evening Mr. Brown. I knew 
you also in Edenburg. I think you will remem- 
ber me when I tell you that I am Ira Hathaway. 
I kept a restaurant in Edenburg when you knew 
me. I have been on the spirit side of life for 
some time." Mr. Brown replied: "Yes I remem- 
ber you well Mr. Hathaway.' ' "Well I am glad 
to meet yon, Mr. Brown, in this way but must 
go now, good night. " Mr. Dallas then said: 
"Here comes another gentleman. He is a tall, 
well built gentleman, stands up very straight, 
light complexion, brown hair, clean shaven ex- 
cept a long heavy mustache. He says: 'Mr. 
Brown I am very glad to be here tonight. I 
have been in spirit life for some time. I did not 
know of this power which enables me to come 
into earth's condition and manifest in this way 
until I was instructed by Dr. Shoemaker, through 
whose kindness I am here tonight. I also knew 
you very well in Edenburg quite a number of 
years ago. I was in the dry -goods business in 
Edenburg and I know you will remember me 



death; the meaning and result. 75 

when I tell you I am John P. McQuiston.' " Mr. 
Brown said: "Mr. McQuiston I remember you 
well." Mr. Dallas then resumed: "I have talk- 
ed quite awhile, and the Doctor has other spir- 
its here, Mr. Brown, whom he wishes you to 
identify if you can. I will say good night. " 

After resting a few moments Mr. Dallas said: 
"Here comes a lady and she is going over to 
where the last gentleman stood and says: 'Mr. 
Brown this is new business to me and I have 
but little strength to manifest in this way. I 
have been in spirit life for some time. I do not 
know as you will remember me. I knew you 
when I lived in Edenburg. I used to live in the 
house on State Street which you afterwards oc- 
cupied. My husband sold you the house. My 
name is Mrs. Miller. Perhaps you remember my 
boys who were small when in Edenburg. One 
of them is now man grown, still on the earth 
side of life, and lives in Bradford, Pa. I wish 
you would look him up. I would like so much 
to talk to him. I must go now, good night." 
Mr. Dallas after resting a moment resumed: 
"Why here comes a gentleman. He is quite a 
young man, rather slender build, dark eyes and 
black hair. He looks at you, Mr. Wilson, and 
smiles; he now passes over to where the other 
spirits stood when they were talking and says: 
'Why W. S. Brown how do you do? and Mr. 
Wilson I am glad to meet you in this way; you 
will both remember me. I am Plum Mitchell. 
I knew you both in Edenburg/ " I said: "Yes, 



76 death; the meaning and result. 

Plum, I remember you well, but I did not know 
that you were on the spirit side of life; can it 
be possible? Air. Dallas resumed: "Yes I have 
been on the spirit side of life for quite a while. 
I went from earth life very suddenly; about as 
rapidly as transition can be done; my body was 
blown to pieces by glycerine in March, 1890. I 
supposed you had heard of the accident." I said: 
"No, Plum, I did not hear of it and this is the 
first I knew you were in spirit life. Mr. Dallas 
continued: "Well I am glad to meet you in this 
way, Mr. Wilson. George Steel told me about 
meeting you a few evenings ago. You know 
George is on our side of life. He told me Doc- 
tor Shoemaker brought him to see you so I 
went to the Doctor and told him I would like 
to m^ti you very much and he kindly consented 
to bring me here tonight, and if he will permit 
me I shall be very glad indeed to come again. 
Good night to all." Mr. Dallas after resting a 
few moments resumed: "Here comes again the 
spirit who called himself Plum Mitchell and says: 
'Mr. Wilson you remember me as Plum Mitchell 
but my initials were J. P. and my name was 
often written J. Plummer Mitchell. ' Why he has 
disappeared. Now, Dr. Shoemaker comes for- 
ward and says: 'Good evening Mr. Brown; good 
evening to all. I am sorry that we could do so 
little this evening in the way of manifestations. 
I find it makes quite a difference in the elements 
to have a person in the room who never affili- 
ated with us before. I was afraid for a while 



death; the meaning and result. 77 

that we would be unable to do anything, but 
by hard work we succeeded in producing what 
3 r ou heard. Mr. Brown I am glad to meet and 
see you here investigating this grand truth. I 
looked about a good deal in the spirit realms 
for some of your immediate relatives so that 
they could talk to you, but did not succeed in 
finding any of them. Come again and we will 
try and do better. We will all of us now bid 
you good night.' ' I then brought Air. Brown 
out to view and introduced him to Mr. Dallas 
and Kramer. Explanations followed and we all 
had a good laugh about the stowaway. After 
discussing what had been heard for awhile we 
separated for the evening. 

Note. As will be observed the first of the 
sitting bears a relation to the previous one in 
that I had then tested the possibility of spirits 
reading the thoughts of mortals which I find 
can be done. In this I had a double purpose; 
first to ascertain if that could be accomplished, 
and second, to arrange, with the spirit Doctor, 
a meeting with Mr. Brown unknown to the 
other two mortals, Dallas and Kramer. Each 
purpose was accomplished in a way ver\^ satis- 
factory to me. I knew Mr. Brown well having 
formed his acquaintance in 1877 at Edenburg, 
Pa. In the previous sittings the spirits of for- 
mer residents of Edenburg had been so much in 
evidence I was anxious to see what effect, if any, 
it would have by introducing a new sitter in the 
circle, and also to observe what evidence, if any, 



78 death; the meaning and result. 

would come to Mr. Brown of the identity of 
shades known by him while in the body. What 
impression the phenomana had on him must be 
told by himself. After the sitting he expressed 
himself as truly astounded at -what had occur- 
red. 

All the spirits speaking to him on this occa- 
sion were known by me while on the earth side 
of life except one and that one said she was 
Mrs. Miller. Mr Brown acknowledged to me 
that he knew Mrs. Miller years ago, and 
what she told him was true, but that he did not 
know at this time that one of the Miller boys 
lived in Bradford as the shade said, but when 
he knew them they were small boys and he very 
likely would not know them now since grown 
to manhood. He said however he would make 
an effort to ascertain if possible if one of them 
did live in Bradford. A few- days after this Air. 
Brown told me he began to make inquiries and 
in a few daj^s thereafter he ascertained that the 
shade, Mrs. Miller, had told him the truth about 
one of her boys living in Bradford. He went to 
Mr. Miller, made himself known and renewed 
acquaintance long since forgotten. 

Here is a fact, told by a spirit, worthy of spec- 
ial notice, in that the fact so related was, at the 
time stated by the shade, unknown to any of the 
mortals present at this sitting. I wish also to 
call attention to the spirit claiming to be Ira 
Hathaway. I knew Mr. Hathaway j^ears ago. 
Mr. Brown also knew him in 1877 and 1878. 



death; the meaning and result. 79 

He was entirely unknown to Kramer or Dallas, 
Mr. Brown had heard nothing of Mr. Hatha- 
way's death — neither had I; but since the sitting 
I have ascertained that he passed to spirit life 
some time previous. 

Another spirit came to the fore on this occa- 
sion which surprised me very much and that is 
the one calling himself Plum Mitchell. I used to 
know Plum intimately years ago in Franklin 
and afterwards in Edenburg, Pa. We became 
friends soon after our acquaintance and, espec- 
ially at Edenburg, we were in each other's com- 
pany much of the time. Plum was a staunch 
and true friend, a pleasant and congenial com- 
panion. The last time I met Plum in the body 
was in the year 1880, thirteen j^ears ago, since 
which time I very seldom heard from him, had 
lost track of him and had no idea whatever but 
that he was still a mortal like myself. He was 
entirely unknown to Mr. Kramer and Mr. Dal- 
las. He was slightly known some fifteen years 
ago by Mr. Brown, but Brown had heard noth- 
ing of his death, and now here comes a shade 
asserting that he is Plum Mitchell whom I knew 
so well at Edenbursr, tellingr me that he had a 
speedy transition, via glycerine explosion, in 
March 1890; also telling me that his initials 
were J. P., a fact that I did not know as I al- 
ways knew him as Plum Mitchell. After this 
sitting I communicated with parties in Franklin, 
Pa., Mitchell's old home, and ascertained that 
Plum Mitchell had passed to spirit life on the 



80 death; the meaning and result. 

date mentioned by the shade; truly remarkable 
how accurate in the statement of an event en- 
tirely unknown to any of us mortals present at 
the time. 

On October 20, 1893, 9 o'clock p. m., Dallas, 
Kramer and myself met at my office. Mr. Dal- 
las had invited Mr. Ed. Davis to be present. 
Mr. Davis came to my office on this occasion 
with Mr. Dallas. We formed about the table as 
usual. In a short time loud raps were heard on 
the table. Mr. Dallas then said: "Here comes 
Mr. Shoemaker; also two other gentlemen. They 
have hold of the Doctor's arms; they all 
seem weak and unable to come close to me; Dr. 
Shoemaker is trying to talk; he looks at me 
moves his lips but I cannot hear what he says. 
The Doctor now points his finger towards you, 
Mr. Davis. Why they have disappeared." 

During this time Mr. Davis seemed to be great- 
ly disturbed and very uneasy. Mr. Dallas re- 
sumed: "I see some person about you Mr. Da- 
vis. He looks like an Indian; he is dark with 
long dark hair hanging over his shoulders. Of 
course this person I describe is a spirit although 
he looks to me as though he was on the earth 
side of life. He waves his arms and seems to be 
making passes about your head. I think he is 
trying to mesmerize you. Don't you feel or hear 
him Mr. Davis?" Mr. Davis replied: "Yes I see 
some person near me and I feel him too; he 
seems to have hold of my coat collar. I tried 
to break his hold but did not succeed. I am 



death; the meaning and result. 81 

sure I do not want him to interfere with me in 
this way. He is a stranger to me and is entire- 
ly too familiar; now whoever you are please step 
away from me; I don't like this sort of acquaint- 
ance. He has now let go of my coat and has 
gone." 

In a few moments Mr. Dallas resumed: "Here 
comes Mr. Schopperle; he says: 'Good evening 
to all. It has been quite a while since I came 
here in this way. I am quite busy on our side 
of life doing what I can to help along this work. 
I cannot stay in view longer, good night.' Now, 
here comes the young man who was here the 
other evening; he says: 'Yes, I was here the oth- 
er evening; I am Plum Mitchell. Good evening 
to all. It is very hard to accomplish anything 
here this evening. We have all been working to 
make things harmonious so we could produce 
manifestations. There came here with this large 
gentleman you call Mr. Davis a number of In- 
dian spirits; one of them was trying to control 
Mr. Davis a few moments ago. They bring with 
them a disturbing element which works against 
our force. They have now stepped to one side 
and perhaps we may be able to do something. 
Dr. Shoemaker kindly requested me to be present 
here tonight and assist him what I could. We 
have spirits here who I think Mr. Dallas will be 
able to see and hear. I must step aside now.'" 

After a few moments Mr. Dallas resumed: 
"Here comes a gentleman whom I never saw be- 
fore; he goes to where you are sitting, Mr. Wil- 



82 death; the meaning and result. 

son; he is tall and slender a little stooped in his 
shoulders, has light hair, his beard is full and 
long. He says: 'Good evening, Mr. Wilson. I 
am here this evening by the kindness of Dr. 
Shoemaker. I belong to his school on the spirit 
side of life. He told me he had a school on the 
earth plane and Plum Mitchell told me about 
meeting you in this way and I asked the Doctor 
to let me come here this evening and he consent- 
ed. I do not know that you will remember me, 
Mr. Wilson. It has been a long time since you 
saw me. I lived in Edenburg, Pa. when you 
were living there. I knew you quite well at that 
time. I am Peter Sprague— no, not Sprague, but 
S-P-A-R-G-O," (spelling it,) "Peter Spargo." I 
said after thinking a few moments, for it had 
been near fifteen years since I had met or thought 
of this man: "Yes, Mr. Spargo, I remember 
you." Mr. Dallas resumed: "Do you? Well, I 
am very glad you remember me. I was afraid 
it had been so long ago since we met, that you 
had forgotten me. After you moved from Eden- 
burg I was appointed postmaster there. I did 
not get along very well and became despondent. 
I went out of earth's condition suddenly in March 
1885. I was glad to make the change. I sup- 
posed when the deed which ended earth's condi- 
tion was committed, that what is called death, 
ended all. I have found that I was mistaken; here 
I am more alive than ever. Well, Mr. Wilson, I 
must go; I hope we will meet in this way again. 
Good night." I said: "Good night, come again." 



death; the meaning and result. 83 

Mr. Dallas resumed: "Here comes your moth- 
er, Air. Wilson, and } r our wife, Mr. Kramer; 
those two ladies come together. Your mother 
says: 'Good evening John/ Mrs. Kramer says: 
'Good evening Len; Mrs. Wilson and I come to- 
gether. We are together in each other's company 
much of the time/ She now goes to your side, 
Mr. Kramer and says: 'My dear husband I am 
so glad to be with you. It seems so good to 
get near you. Len, I have lost none of the affec- 
tion and love I had for you before I passed into 
the spirit world. When you meet me on this 
side you will find me much the same person as 
when on earth. I will come to you in spirit as 
often as I can. I must go now, good bye Len/ " 
We all said: "Good night, come again.' ' Mr. 
Dallas resumes: "Here comes Dr. Shoemaker 
again. He says: 'I am sorry we could not do 
more tonight. We find an element here this 
evening which makes it very difficult indeed for 
us to come into view of Mr. Dallas and talk so 
he can hear and see us.' " We assured the Doc- 
tor that he had clone well and that we appreci- 
ated his efforts. I said: "Doctor I wish you 
would fix the time of our next meeting." He 
said: "Will October 25, 9 p. m., suit you?" I 
said: "Yes." The Doctor then said: "Well I 
must go; good night to all." Soon after this we 
separated for the evening. 

On October 25, 1893, 9:30 p. m., Dallas, Kra- 
mer and nrvself met at my office. We formed 
about the table as explained in the preceding rec- 



84 death; the meaning and result. 

ord. We sat for about thirty minutes and got 
no raps or other demonstrations. I wish to ex- 
plain here, that after one hears a rap produced 
by a certain spirit and becomes familiar with it, 
it can be recognized as being produced by a par- 
ticular spirit with as much certainity as you can 
recognize a human voice. Raps produced by dif- 
ferent spirits have their separate characteristics 
the same as voices produced by different persons. 
After waiting thirty minutes as stated above we 
all heard a loud sharp rap. We discovered and 
agreed that that rap was unfamiliar to all of us 
and must have been produced by a strange spir- 
it. Mr. Dallas then spoke and said: "Why here 
comes into view an Indian; he is the same In- 
dian who came here the evening Mr. Davis 
was here." I then said: "Are you the same In- 
dian who came here with Mr. Davis the other 
evening." "Yes" by raps. "Will you permit our 
spirit friends to come here this evening?" "No." 
I then said: "Well we expected our friends here 
this evening; "will you step aside and permit them 
to show themselves to Mr. Dallas?" "No," by 
raps. "Do you desire to control some person 
here?" "Yes" by raps. "Do you desire to control 
Mr, Dallas?" "No." "Me?" "No." "Mr. Kramer? 
"Yes." Mr. Kramer said: "Well you can't con- 
trol me." Mr. Kramer and the Indian spirit 
continued to dispute the question pro and con, 
the Indian insisting that he could control Kra- 
mer, and Kramer asserting that he could not. 
I then took up the question and said to the 



death; the meaning and result. 85 

Indian shade: "What right have you, if yoti are 
a spirit, to intrude yourself on us. We do not 
desire you here and wish you to go away." Mr,. 
Dallas then said: "He has gone." We were con- 
gratulating ourselves on getting rid of the In- 
dian, when Mr. Dallas gave a quick glance at 
the door and said: "Here comes the Indian 
again." I then said: "Do you not think, Mr. In- 
dian, that you are a little mean, and contempta- 
ble to intrude yourself in this room against our 
wishes? even if you are a spirit you have no 
more right to do this than you would if you 
were in the body. Now I wish you would get 
out of here and stay away." Mr. Dallas then 
said: "He disappeared when you told him to 
get out." Soon thereafter Mr. Dallas, Kramer 
and myself separated. 

Note. At this meeting, as in one preceding 
this, a stranger to our investigations is intro- 
duced, by name of Ed. Davis. I was acquainted 
with Mr. Davis. He was also an acquaintance 
of Mr. Dallas, and when Mr. Dallas suggested 
that Mr. Davis be invited to our sitting on this 
evening I did not object. I am glad now that 
he accepted the invitation for as the record 
shows a new element was introduced from the 
spirit side, drawn here seemingly by the presence 
of Mr. Davis. It gives more experience along 
lines of unseen forces, and experience is a great 
teacher. Although in the main this new spirit 
element seems to be a disturbing and discordant 



86 death; the meaning and result. 

one, still it takes demonstrations of this kind to 
learn of those discordant forces. 

Mr. Davis who by nature is skeptical, as a 
rule, seemed to be fully convinced, judging by 
what he said during the sitting, that some shade 
or spirit not only approached him but actually 
laid hold of him by the "coat collar. " I have 
talked with Mr. Davis since this occurrence and 
he tells me that he is convinced that on this oc- 
casion he stood face to face with immortals in 
the spirit world. My friend Mr. Schopperle 
speaks a few words, and then comes to the front 
my friend and chum, Plum Mitchell, and proceeds 
to inform us of the presence of a number of In- 
dian spirits who work against the force of our 
spirit friends. 

Then there comes forward a shade purporting 
to be the spirit of Peter Spargo. I knew Mr. 
Spargo, at Edenburg, Pa., in 1877 and 1878. I 
heard of his death soon after it occurred but 
did not know the date of his taking off; but 
this spirit, like others preceding him, gives me 
the month and year of his death, which on sub- 
subsequent investigation I find to be correct. 
This man whose spirit claimed to be talking in 
a manner which enabled Mr. Dallas to hear and 
repeat his words w r as entirely unknown to Dal- 
las. Mr. Dallas as will be observed by the rec- 
ord misunderstood the name in the first instance 
calling it Sprague, and was immediately correct- 
ed by the spirit, spelling out his last name and 
then pronouncing it in full, "Peter Spargo.' ' 



death; the meaning and result. 87 

It was supposed at the time of Mr. Spargo's 
death that he committed suicide and by what 
the spirit said here it might be construed to con- 
firm that supposition. Anyway he seems to be 
disappointed with what he finds a reality on the 
spirit side for he says: "I supposed w r hen the 
deed which ended earth's condition was commit- 
ted, that which is called death ended all; I have 
found out that I was mistaken." Then at the 
conclusion Dr. Shoemaker comes to the fore and 
speaks of the "element" which he says "makes 
it very difficult indeed for us to come into view 
of Mr. Dallas and talk so he can see and hear 
us." 

We have also had a new experience and have 
made the discovery that the entities claiming to 
be spirits seemed to differ with each other in 
personality and characteristics the same as mor- 
tals. Mortals, as all know, differ in looks, in 
expression, in tone of voice, in manner and ac- 
tions. One can tell the approach of an acquaint- 
ance by the sound of his step, although entirely 
unseen, and say here comes so and so. So it is 
with the human voice. If you are familiar with 
the voice of an acquaintance you can tell who 
is speaking though the speaker is unseen. In 
the same way that you thus distinguish and 
recognize unseen mortals, you will learn, if you 
have consort with immortals to distinguish and 
recognize unseen immortals, and when you hear 
the rap of a spririt acquaintance you are able 
to say this is so and so, though entirely unseen; 



88 death; the meaning and result. 

so in the sitting mentioned in the foregoing rec- 
ord we were able to say when we heard a strange 
rap, "this rap is not produced by any familiar 
spirit/ ' We did not have to depend on that 
however, for Air. Dallas said: "Why here comes 
into view an Indian/ ' It proved to be such, and 
a determined, persistent Indian at that, who in- 
sisted on staying after he was politely told to 
get out. It has been said that, "there is no good 
Indian except a dead one," but here is what 
people call a dead Indian, and by his actions I 
do not believe he is a good Indian at that. 



CHAPTER V. 

The Spirit of Joe Zuver Appears — His Trouble in Mak- 
ing His Presence Known — Spirit Mitchell Appears — 
Has Message From Spirit Dr. Shoemaker — Indian 
Spirit Appears — Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Again Appears — 
Informs Us that Indian Spirits Will Not Trouble Us 
Again — Sets Evening for Next Meeting. 

October 28, 1893, 9 o'clock p. m., I left my 
office and walked up Main Steeet and stopped 
at Hart's drug Store. I talked a few minutes 
with Mr. Hart and among other things said I 
would like to get a bottle of citrate of magnesia. 
Mr. Hart replied that they had none fresh in 
stock. I left the store and continued up street 
and called on Mr. Dallas where he was employed. 
He was packing away the goods and preparing 
to close the store. I bid him good evening and 
started to leave him when he said: "Air. Wilson 
I am about to close the store and if you will 
wait a few minutes I will walk down the street 
with you." I said: "All right." 

After the store was closed we started down 



90 death; the meaning and result. 

Main Street together. The evening was very 
cold and when we got opposite my office I said 
to Mr. Dallas: "Won't you come up to my 
office a few minutes ?" He accepted the invita- 
tion and we both passed into the office. We 
each took seats at least four feet from a large 
office table. Soon our attention was attracted 
to the table as one end was raised about two 
inches by some force and dropped suddenly 
again. The rising and falling of the table was 
repeated twice in rapid succession. I then said: 
"Mr. Dallas that is certainly strange; this is a 
heavy table and requires strength to raise it 
that way." Again the rising and falling was 
repeated. I said: "That must be spirit power." 
I also said: "If any spirit is present rap on the 
table;" no rap came. 

We sat a few minutes when Mr. Dallas gave 
a sudden start as he happened to glance toward 
the door, and said: "Here comes Plum Mitchell." 
Mr. Dallas' eyes seemed to follow in the direc- 
tion crossing the room until they seemed to 
focus on a point near the hall door leading from 
the office, when he, with a sudden start said: 
"Why, here is another gentleman standing by 
the door. Mr. Mitchell walked up to the gen- 
tleman and they shook hands; they seemed to be 
pleased to meet each other. They are now talk- 
ing together but I cannot hear what they say; 
the man talking to Mr. Mitchell is a stranger 
to me. I never saw him before; he is quite tall, 
not very heavy in build, fair complexion, blue 



death; the meaning and result. 91 

eyes, light hair, has a long mustache, light in 
color; they are both looking toward you. Now 
they move towards where you are sitting; the 
stranger smiles and says: "Good evening Mr. 
Wilson. I heard spirits on our side of life talk- 
ing about 3 r ou. They said, or some of them said, 
the} r had been down to earth and talked with 
you in Bradford, Pa. Well, I could not believe 
them. 1 thought they were certainly mistaken. 
I wanted to see if such a thing were possible 
and was anxious to try the experiment myself; 
I did not wait long, or invite any person to 
come with me, but started alone. This is cer- 
tainly a wonderful experience for me as this is 
the first time I have been back into earths con- 
dition since I passed into spirit life. I knew 
where Bradford was, but I did not think to en- 
quire of your spirit friends before starting to 
come here where your office was. I came here 
to Bradford about 7 o'clock this evening and 
have been trying to locate your office continu- 
ing the search until I met you on the street a 
while ago. I knew you the minute I saw you. 
You have not changed very much in looks since 
I knew you on earth. Well, when I met you on 
the street I turned and went up street by your 
side; you went into a drug store and enquired 
for citrate of magnesia. The druggist told you 
he had none fresh in stock. You then went out 
and up street further and w^ent into a jewlery 
store and met this young man sitting here who 
is repeating after me; you then came down street 



92 death; the meaning and result. 

in company with him and into this office. I 
stuck close by your side and I have not only 
found you, but located your office also. When I 
met you on the street I spoke to you but you did 
not answer and seemed to take no notice of 
me. I could not understand why I could see you 
and hear you talk so plainly and you did not 
see or hear me. When I came here with you 
into this office I tried to make you hear but you 
paid no attention to what I said so I walked 
up to your table here and lifted the end of it 
two or three times. You noticed that and then 
asked for raps. I did not know how to rap or 
what you wanted. I could think of no way to 
make myself known and was about to leave 
when our old and mutual friend Plum Mitchell 
stepped into this room and showed me how to 
talk in this way. I do not know that Dr. Shoe- 
maker "would be pleased if he knew that I was 
here without his permission. Mr. Wilson, I am 
very glad to meet you in this way; and this 
pleasure and experience is worth much more to 
me than the trouble I had in coming here and 
in finding you after I got here. I used to know 
you very well when you lived in Edenburg, Pa. 
I used to live there also. I am Joe Zuver. I 
used to keep a billiard room on State Street in 
Edenburg. Do you remember me?" I said: 
"Mr. Zuver I remember you well, but I did not 
know you had passed into spirit life." 

Mr. Dallas then resumed: "0 yes! I have been 
over here some time. I am glad you remember 



death; the meaning and result. 93 



me, Mr. Wilson. I must step aside as Plum 
wants to talk to you, good night.'' I said: 
"Good night, Mr. Zuver, come again. " Air. 
Dallas resumed: "Air. Alitchell now steps near 
you and says: 'Good evening, Air. Wilson. I 
came here this evening at the request of Dr. 
Shoemaker, with a message for you. When I 
stepped into the office a few moments ago I w^as 
surprised to see Joe Zuver here. I knew Joe 
very well while in earth life and meet him often 
in spirit life. Dr. Shoemaker desired me to say 
that bad and designing spirits have been about 
your office for a few days past. They seem to 
work against your spirit friends and do all they 
can to prevent demonstrations here. He is glad 
you know what the trouble has been. It has 
been no fault of your friends that bad spirits 
have presented themselves here, and all of your 
friends on our side are trying to overcome their 
influence and hope to dispel and disperse them 
soon. The Doctor thinks that it is not best for 
him to be seen by the bad spirits about here or in 
your office for a few days; so do not be sur- 
prised if you do not hear from him for a few 
days. He will come to you again as soon as he 
thinks advisable. Now Joe and I must go before 
we come in contact with those bad Indians. 
They are on the alert for us, so good bye, Mr. 
Wilson; good bye, Mr. Dallas. ' " 

Soon after the spirits of Alitchell and Zuver 
departed, Air. Dallas looked toward the hall 
door leading into the office, manifesting much 



94 death; the meaning and result. 

surprise and said: "Why here comes that Indian 
you ordered away the other evening; he seemed 
to come through the door with as much ease as 
though it had been open." I said: "So you are 
here again, Mr. Indian. Now what do you 
want? Talk to this young man (pointing to 
Dallas) and tell us your object in coming here." 
Air. Dallas said: "Go slow, Mr. Indian, I can't 
understand what you say. He tells me that he 
is an Indian Chief, and lived when in earth life 
in Colorado. That he has with him here twen- 
ty of his braves who have joined him in spirit 
life; that he killed eleven white people and has 
nine scalps on his belt. He says he came here 
with his band to prevent any more white spirits 
coming to white chiefs." I said: "Well chief, 
you are frank to say the least; but let me say 
to you that you and your band can't get any 
scalps about here; we will watch and see that 
you don't do any mischief. We have said to 
you to get out and not return. I will tell you 
now to go and if you come about here again 
there will be some sick Indians around this 
room. Now go and never return." Mr. Dallas 
then said: "The Indian disappeared when you 
ordered him away." 

After discussing the events of the evening, Mr. 
Dallas and myself separated. 

Note. In this sitting a strange experience 
presents itself. A spirit who claimed to have been 
in Bradford for two hours walking up and down 
street looking for me comes to the fore. He 



death; the meaning and result. 95 

talks quite freely to me by being repeated by 
Mr. Dallas. He claimed to be the spirit of Joe 
Zuver. I knew Joe Zuver fifteen years previous 
to this date. I did not know that Joe Zuver 
had passed over, but he proceeded to identify 
himself by telling me where he lived in earth 
life when I knew him, what his business was, 
etc. Mr. Dallas also gave a very good descrip- 
tion of the Joe Zuver I formerly knew, so if evi- 
dence is worth anything I had to admit that in 
all likelihood I was face to face with the shade 
of Joe Zuver I at one time knew in Edenburg. 
Mr. Dallas never knew or heard of him. 

It must be true that this shade was present 
with me at Hart's drug store, else how could 
he tell me so accurately what was said there by 
me. My friend Mr. Plum Alitchell also being 
present vouches for the other shade as being Joe 
Zuver. Mitchell claimed to be here on this even- 
ing to inform us, by Dr. Shoemaker's instruct- 
ions, that bad and designing spirits had been 
about my office, and that they do all they can 
to prevent the demonstrations by spirit friends. 
Soon after the departure of Mitchell and Zuver 
the troublesome Indian again appears on 
deck, and by what he says he was certainly 
a tough quality while in the body, and very 
likely improved but little, if any, since he became 
an inhabitant of the " Happy Hunting Ground." 
He says while on earth he was after scalps and 
is in the same business yet and may get mine 
before he is through with me, but I don't think 



96 death; the meaning and result. 

he will; being forewarned is being forearmed and 
I shall be on the alert. 

On November 7, 1893, 9:15 p. m., Dallas, 
Kramer and myself met at my office and formed 
about the table. We soon heard loud and 
familiar raps. We knew by the construction and 
intonation of the raps that they were produced 
by spirit friends. Soon Mr. Dallas said: "Here 
comes Dr. Shoemaker with two gentlemen, one 
on each of his arms. The Doctor seems to be 
assisting them to come near us. They have now 
stopped advancing and are standing still. Now 
the Doctor advances and says: 'Good evening 
all.' " We all said: "Good evening Doctor.' ' 
Mr. Dallas then continued to repeat and said: 
"I am very glad to be here again. We have 
worked very hard on our side to overcome the 
bad spirits who persisted in coming here. I am 
happy to say that we have accomplished our 
purpose and are glad to know that you under- 
stood the situation when they came here. We 
required your aid to succeed as well as we did. 
If you had encouraged them or been over indul- 
gent with them, they would have been much 
harder to dislodge. You will not be troubled by 
them again. We are completely rid of them. 
I have two gentlemen here tonight who have 
not been here before. I have tried to get them 
in a condition whereby they could talk to Mr. 
Dallas so he could hear them and repeat what 
they said. I am not able to do so this evening. 
I will try again some other evening.' f I said: 
"AH right Doctor any evening will do." 



death; the meaning and result. 97 

Mr. Kramer then said: "Can I ask you a 
question Doctor?' l The Doctor said: "Certainly. " 
"Well Doctor," Mr. Kramer continued, "Am I a 
medium?" The Doctor replied: "Yes, you have 
mediumistic properties in your composition; by 
development and proper influences, you could be 
controlled by spirits hypnotically and talk under 
control. My friend Mr. Wilson here will be a 
fine inspirational speaker. " I said: "Doctor 
you certainly do not mean that?" He replied: 
"Yes sir, I am certain of it." I then said: "Well 
Doctor, excuse the remark, but I will have to 
have the experience before I can believe what 
you say." The Doctor replied: "Very well, you 
will have the experience, and soon." The Doctor 
then continued: "Well, we will have to leave 
you for this evening, but before I go please 
name an evennig that will be convenient for 
you to meet us here again." I said: "Will Sun- 
day evening suit?" The Doctor replied: "Yes, 
good night to all." Soon thereafter Kramer, 
Dallas and myself separated for the evening. 

Note. Dr. Shoemaker is again on hand during 
this sitting and tells us that we are rid of the 
bad spirits who are hovering about us for the 
past few days. He also tells me that I will be 
a "very fine inspirational speaker." That is so 
improbable to me that at first I thought the 
spirit Doctor was jesting, but on further con- 
versation he seems to be quite in earnest and 
even goes so far as to say: "I am certain of it." 
Strange things have happened in the past sit- 



98 death; the meaning and result. 

tings, but here is another strange thing proph- 
esied. I am not prepared to say that it would 
be impossible speaking in the light of what I 
have recently seen and heard. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Spirit Dr, Shoemaker Appears — He Brings With Him 
and Introduces The Spirit of Hon. Charles Sumner — 
What Mr. Sumner Says— His Effort to Establish 
Identit} T — Spirit Sumner T^s to Control Wilson — 
Fails — Disappointed at Failure — Spirit Shoemaker 
and Sumner Again Appear — Trys To Control Wilson 
— Succeeds— Wilson's Experience — Wilson's Spirit 
Mother Again In View— Spirit of Judge Theo. S. Wil- 
son, R. F. Borckman and T. H. Tomlinson Appear 
—What They Say. 

November 12, 1893, 8:45 p. m., Dallas, Kramer 
and myself met at my office and formed about 
the table as usual. We heard loud raps on the 
table and about the room. Soon Mr. Dallas 
said: "Here comes Dr. Shoemaker and says: 
'good evening to all. I have a gentleman with 
me this evening who belongs to our circle of 
spirit friends. He is a great help to all of us. 
He is one of the highest authorities we have in 
our realm of the possibilities of spirit power and 
the philosophy and science of bridging the chasm 
which separates the spirit world from the planet 

L.ofC 



100 death; the meaning and result. 

earth. He is your control, Mr. Wilson, so to 
speak. Great pains have been taken on the 
spirit side of life to select a control or intelligence 
to manipulate your mental organism. I will 
now introduce to you the gentleman of whom I 
speak. I have the great pleasure of introducing 
Hon. Charles Sumner, formerly of Boston, 
Mass." 

I said as well as I could, for this was unex- 
pected to me: "Good evening, Mr. Sumner. I 
am very glad to meet you in this way. I did 
not have the pleasure of a personal acquaintance 
with you while you were in the earth life. I 
know, however, who you are from history." 
Mr. Sumner then said through Mr. Dallas: 
"Good evening, Mr. Wilson; you are no stranger 
to me. I have, as a spirit, been about you for 
some time. I was afraid you would not recall 
to your mind who I am. I was a member of 
your profession, and I used to edit the American 
Jurist. I also reported Judge Story's decisions. 
My reports of Judge Story's decisions are in four 
volumes and known as Sumner's reports. I 
have published an annotated edition of Vesey's 
Law reports in twenty volumes. I assisted 
Judge Story in Harvard University Law School. 
I passed into spirit life in 1874. While in earth 
life I was before the public a great deal and 
represented my state in the United State Senate 
for a number of years. I succeeded Daniel Web- 
ster in that honor in 1851." 

Mr. Dallas after resting a few moments resum- 



death; the meaning and result. 101 



ed: "Now Dr. Shoemaker steps to your side and 
says: 'Now John, please pay particular atten- 
tion to the following: Mr. Sumner wishes to 
give his expression of thought through your 
mental organism. Pie will first begin with Mr. 
Dallas, say a few words through the organism 
of Air. Dallas and then transfer the impress to 
your brain. Give close attention to what Mr. 
Dallas says and when he ceases to speak you 
take up the theme and proceed." ' Mr. Dallas 
then said: "Mr. Sumner now steps to the 
back of the chair where you are now seated, 
Mr. Wilson, and Dr. Shoemaker takes a position 
a few paces to the side. Mr. Sumner says: 'Mr. 
Wilson, I am a.bout to impress your mental or- 
ganism, control your vocal organs and thereby 
give expression to my thoughts. I wish to be, 
and by your consent will be, your guide and 
control in the work which you will soon be en- 
gaged in. You will deliver many lectures by 
my aid and assistance in this way, on the phil- 
osophy of spirit power, immortality of the soul, 
spirit return and kindred subjects. You have 
been instructed somewhat by the Doctor. As I 
said before I have been about you more or less 
for some time and am conversant with what I 
can do with yon in this way. Be careful to fol- 
low with your thoughts what I say through 
Mr. Dallas; after saj^ing a few lines through 
Air. Dallas I will transfer my thoughts to you, 
and you will express them. The subject will be, the 
relation of matter to man and man to spirit.' " 



102 death; the meaning and result. 

I said: "All right, Mr. Sumner, I will try and 
follow your instructions." 

Mr. Dallas then resumed: "Spiritualism is the 
philosophy which teaches the relation of matter 
to man and man to spirit, and one of its car- 
dinal principles is the ability of excarnated spirits 
to return to earth and brush aside the veil which 
has so many centuries hidden from mortal gaze 
this glorious truth. It is that which unfolds the 
hidden mystery of occult forces; it is the true 
and natural religion of the human race, and 
raises man in thought to an altitude wherein a 
true and harmonious relationship is established 
between him and the Creator of all Things.' J 

Mr. Dallas stopped talking. I w r as so charmed 
by what had been said that I forgot my instruc- 
tions. I did not take up the threads where 
Dallas dropped them. Mr. Dallas then said: 
"Mr. Sumner has left me and has gone to you, 
Mr. Wilson; he is at the back of your chair, 
with his hands on your head." At that mo- 
ment I felt a sensation like an electric shock 
passing over me; my brain seemed to be on fire. 
I could not speak. The strange feeling continued 
for perhaps three minutes when it left me and I 
again felt natural. Mr. Dallas then resumed: 
"Now Mr. Sumner steps away from where you 
sit; did you not hear him speak to you?" I said: 
"No I felt much but heard nothing." Mr. Dal- 
las again resumed: "Mr. Sumner looks and acts 
as though he was disappointed in failing to im- 
press you more forcibly. Now Mr. Sumner and 



death; the meaning and result. 103 

the Doctor are conversing with each other. I 
cannot hear what they say. The Doctor now 
says: 'I am sorry we could not start the flow 
of language and enable you to give expression to 
the impressions. I think w r e sprung this method 
on you too suddenly, and your timidity, lack of 
confidence and fear made you too positive to 
manipulate you freely. I have no doubt about 
being able to impress you so Mr. Sumner can 
give expression to his thoughts through your 
organism. I am certain of it. I have witnessed 
Mr. Sumner manipulate your organism, Mr. 
Wilson, unconsciously to you, and you would 
invariably express his thoughts. We will soon 
try the experiment again. Well, we must be 
going; will next Friday evening suit for the next 
meeting?' " I said: "Yes." "Well, good night." 
Soon after this occurrence Dallas, Kramer and 
myself separated. 

Note. A new shade is brought to the fore in 
this sitting who claims to be that of Charles 
Sumner. He is formally introduced by my friend, 
spirit Dr. Shoemaker, and I am told by the Doc- 
tor that this entity or spirit is to "manipulate 
my mental organism" and be the source of in- 
spiration by which 1 am to talk. I must 
confess, as I had not been informed that so em- 
inent a personage w-as to be introduced, that I 
was a little embarassed and ill at ease. I knew 
Charles Sumner while in earth life only by his- 
tory and very little of that except so far as his 
public acts were noted in the periodicals at the 



104 death: the meaning and result. 



time of his service in the United States Senate. 
I knew nothing whatever of his early life or 
private affairs, never having read a history of 
this eminent man. Mr. Dallas or Kramer knew 
nothing of the man while on earth. 

The shade, however, by being repeated by Mr. 
Dallas, proceeded in a way to establish his iden- 
tity, which at the time did not prove anything 
of certainty to me, but on subsequent investiga- 
tion, in consulting history, etc., I find that what 
he says concerning himself is true in every par- 
ticular. He says: "I am a member of your pro- 
fession and used to edit the American Jurist, " facts 
of which at the time of this sitting I was ignor- 
ant. He also says: "I reported Judge Story's decis- 
ions; I published an annotated edition of the Ves- 
ey's Law reports in twenty volumes. I assisted 
Judge Story in Harvard University Law School." 
I knew nothing of those things in connection 
with Mr. Sumner's life until he told me in a 
manner here described, all of which, I have as- 
certained since, are true. The spirit Doctor then 
proceeded to give me instructions for the pur- 
pose of being controlled or manipulated by Mr. 
Sumner's spirit; the record shows the outcome 
of this experiment. 

November 14, 1893, Mr. Dallas, Kramer and 
myself met at my office at 8:30 p. m. We form- 
ed about the table. Soon Mr. Dallas said: 
"Here comes Dr. Shoemaker and Mr. Sumner. 
They say: 'Good evening all.' Dr. Shoemaker 
says: 'The conditions seem to be good this 



death; the meaning and result. 105 

evening. I think Mr. Sumner will be able to 
control you tonight, John. Now remain in a 
passive condition; there is no doubt whatever 
but that Mr. Sumner can control you and con- 
vey to you his thoughts by impression, to which 
you can give utterance/ Now Mr. Sumner says: 
'I will commence with Mr. Dallas. When he 
stops speaking you take up the threads and 
proceed.' " I said: "All right Mr. Sumner.' ' 
Mr. Dallas then said: "Now Mr. Sumner steps 
to your side, Mr. Wilson; the subject is the re- 
lation of matter to man and man to spirit.' ' 

Mr. Dallas began to speak on the subject. I 
do not recall what he said; in fact I did not 
hear what he said. Immediately, as he began 
talking, and more forcibly when he stopped 
talking, I felt an electric or vital thrill pass 
through and along my nerves, having for a com- 
mon centre the brain; a very perceptible pressure 
was felt on front part and top of head; the 
thrill and strange sensation became almost en- 
tirely confined to the brain. The sensation was 
not disagreeable, rather the reverse; presently I 
seemed to myself to expand, and to float out 
into a vast field of thought and logic. I began 
to express those thoughts of which I seemed to 
be deluged. I was talking; I knew I was talk- 
ing, but the thoughts came so rapidly and 
struggled so hard for expression, that I did not 
know what I was saying. It seemed to me af- 
ter the start, that my own personality and spir- 
it were held in abeyance and that some pow- 



106 death; the meaning and result, 



er was manipulating my brain and using my 
vocal organs. While I was talking I heard some- 
one say, he is becoming exhausted, and as I 
heard those words I immediately became normal. 

For about two minutes I seemed to be dazed 
and somewhat depressed, but at the end of that 
time I felt no ill effects resulting from what had 
occurred. I could not remember anything that 
I had said; it was all a blank to me. I was 
surprised when I was told by Mr. Dallas that I 
had talked for thirty minutes. It did not seem 
two minutes to me. Mr. Dallas then said: "Mr. 
Wilson, what a strange proceeding. I never 
heard such eloquence as you uttered while you 
were talking; your voice changed, and no person 
w-ould have recognized it while your w r ere talk- 
ing; you also changed in manner, and the very 
strange part is, that when you began to talk, 
Mr. Sumner seemed to pass into you and I could 
see your spirit standing outside your body; you 
were double; your spirit, in looks and everything 
else, is an exact duplicate of yourself. When you 
ceased speaking I could see Mr. Sumner emerge 
out of your body and your own spirit enter it. 

"Here comes Dr. Shoemaker again and says: 
'We will now try to show you some spirits. 
We think we can make them so plain that you 
can all see them. Now Air. Dallas, please rise 
from your chair, step to the rear of it and join 
hands with the spirits next to you; you will thus 
be in a spirit circle/ " Mr. Dallas arose from his 
seat and stepped to the rear of Mr. Kramer and 



death; the meaning and result. 107 

myself and immediately said: "Why here is Plum 
Mitchell he has got hold of my hand, and a 
gentleman whom I never saw before has hold of 
my other hand. Mr. Mitchell was just going to 
introduce to me the gentleman to my left, but 
Doctor Shoemaker says: 'No don't do that 
please, I wish to surprise Mr. Wilson by show- 
ing him the spirit you thought of introducing. 
He will show himself and will be known by Mr. 
Mr. Wilson/ " 

Soon thereafter there appeared, about four 
feet from where I sat and about five feet from 
the floor, a pale light, in appearance much the 
same as the light described in a former record. 
When first observed by me it was round in 
shape and about two inches in diameter. It en- 
larged until it was fullv twelve inches in diame- 
ter and became much the color and brilliancv of 
an electric incandescent. As soon as my eyes 
rested on the light I beheld approaching from 
beyond the light the outlines of a face; slowly 
it approached the light and finally it entered in- 
to and through the light and again there stood 
before me in plain view, looking radiant with 
joy, and with a countenance wreathed with a 
smile, my mother. I was much pleased to see 
her again. There could be no mistake, my eyes 
could not deceive me; there was every lineament 
of her face in full view and her whole form 
standing out from the light in bold relief. 

She spoke and said: "My dear son I am as 
pleased and happy as you possibly can be to be 



108 death; the meaning and result. 

able to come to you. I come to you often, John, 
from the spirit world, but you are not able to 
see or hear me. I am often with you when you 
least expect. I am the same mother to you you 
knew so well in our earth home many years ago. 
John, a mother's love never grows less, and 
what a blessing it is and what happiness it 
brings to me, as your mother in spirit life, to 
be able to talk to you in this way. I have not 
the power myself to do this; it is by the strength 
and through the kindness of Dr. Shoemaker and 
other spirit friends I am able to appear to you 
in this way and talk to you. I must go now r 
good bye." I said: "Good bye, mother;" she 
immediately disappeared. Mr. Dallas then said: 
"Dr. Shoemaker now says: 'Our forces are becom- 
ing exhausted and -we will not sit longer/ " We 
said all right Doctor, you certainly have done 
much for us this evening. 

Soon after Kramer, Dallas and myself were 
standing about the office discussing the wonder- 
ful demonstrations of the evening, when sudden- 
ly Mr. Dallas looked toward the door leading 
from the front into the back office. I noticed he 
had a surprised expression; he said: "Why here 
is a gentleman who walks out of your back of- 
fice. He is the same spirit whom Mitchell was 
going to introduce when the Doctor stopped him. 
He is a very large man, fleshy and quite corpu- 
lent; he has a round face, regular features, blue 
eyes, light hair, somewhat bald, light weight 
mustache trimmed short; he walks up facing you, 



death; the meaning and result. 109 

Mr. Wilson, extends his right hand as in the act 
of shaking hands and says: 'Mr. Wilson I am 
very srlad to meet you indeed. I knew you very 

J O ^ ml ml 

well when you lived in Edenburg, Pa. At that 
time I lived in Clarion, Pa. I was practicing 
law when you knew me and my office at Clarion 
was near the court house on the opposite side 
of the street. You have been into my office 
quite often. After you moved from Edenburg I 
was elected to the bench in the counties of Clari- 
on and Jefferson. I am a namesake of yours. I 
am Theophilus S. Wilson.' " I said: "Judge Wil- 
son, I remember you very well." He continued: 
"I came here with Dr. Shoemaker. I heard Mr. 
Sumner talk through your organism this even- 
ing, and I have congratulated Mr. Sumner, and 
I now wish to congratulate you on the complete 
success of the experiment. I will bid you good 
night, but with your kind permission will come 
some other time.' " I said: "Good night Judge 
come again." Mr. Dallas said: "He has disap- 
peared." 

Soon thereafter Mr. Dallas said: "Mr. Wilson 
here comes another gentleman to you; he is a 
stranger to me. He looks like a German. He 
has blue eyes, brown hair and beard, he says: 'I 
am Robert F. Borckman who recently passed 
away from Chicago, 111. I knew you well in 
Bradford. I was at one time President of the 
Bradford National Bank and of the Bolivar Nat- 
ional Bank; later I was president of the Com- 
mercial National Bank. I passed away very 



110 , death; the meaning and result. 

suddenly into spirit life. I met you in Chicago 
in June 1892; do you remember of meeting me 
at that time?' " I said: "Yes I remember it well." 
He continued: "I have not been in the spirit 
world long and as yet am rather weak. I came 
here tonight against Dr. Shoemaker's advice; 
but I heard of this wonderful thing of spirits 
coming back to earth and talking with you and 
I was bound to see it for myself. I wish to 
congratulate you also. I will go now; good 
night.' \ Mr. Dallas resumed: "He has disap- 
peared, but another gentleman comes to you; he 
is slender in build, a little stooped in shoulders, 
blue eyes, full beard, brown or rather chestnut 
in color and brown hair. His hair and beard 
are somewhat curly; he says: "Good evening 
Mr. Wilson. I know you will remember me; I 
am T. H. Tomlinson. I was cashier in the Brad- 
ford National Bank and was shot by a robber 
while on duty. Of course you remember the 
manner of my taking off. I am glad to meet 
you in this way. I little dreamed of this grand 
truth when I was in earth life." I said: "Yes, 
Harvey, of course I remember j r ou very well and 
the manner in which you met your death." I 
also said: "Do you know this young man?" 
pointing to Mr. Dallas. He replied: "No I never 
met him until tonight." I said: "Well if you 
can, take a seat and tell this young man all 
about the way you met your death." He said: 
"All right." Mr. Dallas sat down and for some 
time carried on a conversation with somebody 



death; the meaning and result. Ill 

to me entirely unseen. At its conclusion Mr. 
Dallas related to me what Tomlinson had told 
him at this time which was in detail just as I 
knew the circumstances of the murder of Tom- 
linson. 

Note. What Mr. Sumner failed to do the pre- 
ceding sitting he seems to have accomplished 
during this sitting. The record explains that 
part. Other spirits are made known here, none 
of whom were known to Dallas or Kramer. The 
first one to be announced is Judge Wilson, giv- 
ing his name in full and making other statements 
known by me to be true and clearly establishing 
his identity. The next was Robert F. Borckman 
who also succeeded in establishing his identity, 
followed by T. H. Tomlinson. I knew all of 
these people in earth life. Air. Dallas' descrip- 
tion of them was perfect, and what they said is 
known to me to be true. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Appears— Has a Surprise for 
Dallas—Dallas' Spirit Sister and Chum, Robert Mar- 
tin, Appear— What They Say— Spirit Charles Sum- 
ner Appears — Controls Wilson — Speaks Through his 
Organism — Name Written — Spirit of Judge James 
Campbell Appears — Mrs. Burns and Miss Burns Meet 
Spirit Mrs. Kramer — Wilson's and Dallas' Strange 
Experience — Visit of Strange Spirit — Effect on Dallas. 

November 21, 1893, 2:30 p. m., Dallas, Kramer 
and myself met at my office, and formed about 
the table as usual. After sitting for a few mo- 
ments, Mr. Dallas spoke and said: "Here comes 
Dr. Shoemaker. He has with him a lady and 
gentleman, a person on each arm. He now says: 
'Good afternoon gentleman. I have with me 
here today a lady and gentleman, whom I have 
no doubt you will be pleased to meet, Mr. Dal- 
las/ " 

Mr. Dallas suddenly arose from his seat, rap- 
idly stepped forward, with a pleased expression, 
with right hand extended as though for the pur- 
pose of shaking hands and said: "Why sister is 



death; the meaning and result. 113 

this you? I am so glad to meet you." Mr. 
Dallas then explained to Air.- Kramer and my- 
self that his sister was there; he then commenced 
and carried on a conversation for some time re- 
lating, I should judge by what I heard Dallas 
say, to family matters. He questioned the person 
to whom he seemed to be talking, about his 
father and mother in Scotland, and other peo- 
ple, how his sister was coming on in spirit life, 
etc. After he had thus talked for about fifteen 
minutes, he said to me: "Mr. Wilson, I am so 
glad to meet my sister. She has been in the 
spirit land for 'a good many years. She was 
five years old when she passed over. I knew 
her by the family resemblance the moment my 
eyes rested on her. I think she looks enough 
like me to be my twin sister. Notwithstanding 
she was only five years old when she passed to 
spirit life, she has grown to be a well rounded 
woman. She tells me that she grew from child- 
hood to womanhood in the spirit world; that 
she has been educated there and is considered a 
good musician. She says that your friend, Dr. 
Eddy, came to her spirit home, east and across 
the Atlantic Ocean and told her about her broth- 
er, meaning me, being able to see and hear spir- 
its, and told her if she cared to come where I 
was, he would be glad to conduct her to me. 
She said she gladly accepted the invitation after 
Dr. Eddy explained to her about it. She says 
that Dr. Eddy, a gentleman friend of mine, and 
herself started from her spirit home being nearby 



114 death; the meaning and result. 

in a perpendicular line from Inverness, Scotland 7 
at 10 o'clock a. m. today and arrived at this 
office at 11:45 a. m., coming the distance in one 
hour and forty-five minutes, and she says they 
took it very easy and did not hurry at that. 
Is that not wonderful, to travel that distance in 
less than two hours?' ' 

Mr. Dallas after resting a moment said: "Now 
the gentleman I see with Dr. Shoemaker is ad- 
vancing towards me." I was watching Mr. 
Dallas closely, and as he finished the last word of 
the sentence just quoted, I saw an expression of 
great surprise and recognition come over his 
face and features. He sprang from the chair 
in which he was sitting, with right hand extend- 
ed, advanced two steps, and exclaimed: "Rob- 
ert Martin can this be you? there must be some 
mistake; you were not dead, j r ou are not in 
spirit are you?" Then Mr. Dallas stopped as if 
listening to a reply to his question. Then he 
continued: "Is that so? I did not hear of your 
taking off. I supposed you were in earth life 
yet. I would have known you anywhere, Bob, 
but, old friend, I never dreamed that we would 
ever meet in this way." Then followed a length y 
conversation, Mr. Dallas seeming to be talking to 
a friend and chum from whom he had been long 
separated. I heard Dallas ask the question: 
"Robert, when and how did you pass to spirit 
life?" After their conversation ceased, Mr. Dal- 
las turned to me and said: "Mr. Wilson excuse 
me; this has taken me so by surprise that I for- 



death; the meaning and result. 115 

got to introduce my sister to you. Sister, this 
gentleman is a friend of mine, Mr. Wilson; this 
is Mr. Kramer, a friend of mine; gentlemen this 
is my schoolmate and friend Robert Martin.' ' I 
said: "Good afternoon, Miss Dallas; good after- 
noon, Mr. Martin; I am glad to meet you in this 
way." Then Mr. Dallas continued and said: 
"Mr. Wilson, Robert Martin who is now here 
in spirit, is a neighbor's boy who used to live 
near Inverness, Scotland. He is about my age; 
we used to be chums. I knew he had some time 
ago enlisted in the army. He told me that he 
was drowned in attempting to ford a stream 
near Gharbecyeh, Egypt, about one hundred 
miles north of Cairo. That as a rule the stream 
he undertook to ford is not deep at the point 
he tried to cross, but owing to recent rains it 
had become swollen and turbulent and he was 
drowned in trying to ford it. He says his body 
has not been recovered by his friends." 

Then Mr. Dallas turned from Kramer and my- 
self and conversed in a familiar way with what 
he claimed to be his sister and chum; he bid 
them good bye on a promise that they would 
call again. Soon thereafter Mr. Dallas said: 
"Here comes Mr. Sumner; he says he desires to 
speak a few words through your organism, Mr. 
Wilson." In a moment I felt that peculiar thrill 
and sensation as though I was being lifted into 
space; involuntarily I arose from my seat to a 
standing position and with no effort on my 
part I began to speak. I sensed that I was 



116 death; the meaning and result. 

talking but did not know what I was saying. 
In what seemed to me but a few moments I 
again became normal and found myself sitting 
in the same chair I formerly occupied. I did not 
feel depressed, tired or at all unnatural. I then 
said to Mr. Dallas: "It seems to me that I have 
been talking and the peculiar feature of it is I 
do not remember what I said." Mr. Dallas 
said: "Well, I should say that you had been 
talking or rather Mr. Sumner had been talking- 
through you. He has occupied just one hour in 
making a speech. I wish you could have heard 
it, it was a grand production, and I tried to 
take notes of what was said but I was so charm- 
ed and engrossed by what he said that I did 
not succeed in getting much of it on paper." 
He then showed me what he had written in his 
effort to take down the speech. I found that he 
had made pretty much of a failure, but on ex- 
amination of the notes he had taken I made a 
discovery. In what seemed to be a different 
hand-writing from the balance I noticed a name. 
I could not make out what it was at first, but 
in holding the paper between me and the light 
there appeared in a legible hand as follows: 
"Hon. Charles Sumner." 

Mr. Dallas assured me that he did not know 
the name was written until I made the discov- 
ery as above explained. Mr. Dallas seemed as 
much surprised as I was when the discovery 
was made, and furthermore the position in 
which Mr. Dallas sat and the paper on which 



death; the meaning and result. 117 

the name appeared, to have been written by 
Mr. Dallas, he would have to write the name 
up side down and from right to left, a feat I 
am satisfied he could not perform. Mr. Dallas 
said however that "at the conclusion of his tak- 
ing notes and conclusion of the speech his hand 
moved without effort on his part, but he did 
not know that anything had been written dur- 
ing the movement." Moreover, if written by 
the spirit who had been expressing his thoughts 
through my organism assuming that the spirit 
when he wrote his name was facing Mr. Dallas, 
which from where he stood and where Mr. Dal- 
las sat, would have been the most probable pos- 
ition, the name would be written by the power 
propelling the pen from left to right and right 
side up, or in other words in a natural way. 
No further demonstrations being offered we sep- 
arated for the night. 

Note. At this sitting there were brought for 
the first time spirits unknown to me in earth 
but, as it developed, well known to Mr. Dallas. 
Personally I have no means at hand to verify 
the truth of what they said. I have no doubt, 
however, that the entities representing them- 
selves to be Mr. Dallas' sister, and his friend 
and chum Robert Martin were whom they rep- 
resented themselves to be, and that the cir- 
cumstances relating to Robert Martin's taking 
off are true; however I leave the verification to 
Mr. Dallas himself. I know at the time this 
was given that neither Mr. Dallas or myself were 



118 death; the meaning and result. 

well enough versed in Geography to know of a 
place in Egypt called Gharbeeyeh of which the 
shade spoke, but soon thereafter we looked it 
up and discovered that a place by that name 
was on the map and about one hundred miles 
from Cairo. 

November 24, 1893, 3 o'clock p. m., Dallas 
and myself met at the office. We did not form" 
around the table and were not expecting any 
demonstrations. In a few minutes after we be- 
became seated we heard very loud raps on the 
table and floor of the room. Soon Mr. Dallas 
said: "Here comes the Doctor with a gentleman 
whom I never met before. They are looking at 
you, Mr. Wilson, and the}^ both smile. This 
strange gentleman is quite an old man, tall and 
slightly stoop shouldered, regular features, hair 
brown, streaked with gray, blue eyes and clean 
shaven. He is quite a large man and wears 
what looks like a black prince albert coat, and 
is dignified in demeanor. He looks at you and 
seems pleased to see you. Now Dr. Shoemaker 
says: 'How do you do, John? Good day, Mr. 
Dallas. John, I have brought with me today a 
spirit who used to know you and I think you 
will remember him. He will talk for himself.' " 

After resting a moment Mr. Dallas said: "Now 
this gentleman goes up to you reaches out his 
right hand to you and says: 'Mr. Wilson, I am 
indeed glad to meet you. Before I left the mor- 
tal body I knew nothing of this great truth of 
spirit return; in fact I did not know that spirits 



death; the meaning and result. 119 

could come back to earth in this way until re- 
cently. Judge Wilson told me about it on our 
side of life and said he had visited you and talk- 
ed to you. I then went to Dr. Shoemaker and 
asked him if he would take me to you; he kind- 
ly consented and here I am. I assure you this 
is a very happy surprise to me. I used to know 
you well when you lived at Edenburg. I lived 
at that time in Clarion, Pa. and was engaged 
in practicing law. I was at one time on the 
bench. You have been in my office in Clarion 
and I know you will remember when I tell you 
I am James Campbell. I was called Judge 
Campbell when you knew me.' " I said: "I re- 
member you well but did not know you were 
in spirit life." Air. Dallas continued: "Oh yes, 
I have been on the spirit side of life for over one 
year. Well, well, this is a great revelation to 
me. How I wish I had known of this possibil- 
ity and great truth before I came to spirit life. 
You are creating a great furor on the spirit side 
of life, greater by far than ever occurred in spir- 
it realms before. You are in the beginning of a 
great work. Well I must go; I will shake hands 
with you and wish you God speed in the work. 
I will come again, good bye." I said: "Good 
bye, Mr. Campbell." Mr. Dallas then said: "He 
has gone." 

Xote. At this time Dr. Shoemaker brought a 
new spirit in our presence. I knew Mr. Camp- 
bell well in earth life having practiced law at 
the same bar with him during the years 1877 



120 death; the meaning and result. 

and 1878 in Clarion. He was a lawyer of ac- 
knowledged ability and a man of sterling quali- 
ties. He served one term on the bench before 
my acquaintance with him. Dr. Shoemaker was 
also acquainted with the judge before his death. 
I moved from Clarion County in 1880 since 
which time I had not met Mr. Campbell until 
at the time designated in this record. I had 
not heard of his death, and supposed he was 
still on the earth side of life. He was entirely 
unknown to Mr. Dallas. Mr. Kramer was not 
present at this sitting. I could hardly believe 
that the spirit could be that of Air. Campbell, 
but he insisted that it was so, and that he had 
passed over to the spirit side of life over a year 
previous to this time. After this occurrence I 
wrote to an acquaintance in Clarion and inquir- 
ed if James Campbell was dead. I got a reply 
informing me that he died in August 1892, and 
thus it was verified that he had been on the 
spirit side of life, "over one year" at the time he 
so informed me in this wonderful w-ay. 

Mr. J. L. Kramer of whom I have spoken in a 
former record, married, some time before my ac- 
quaintance with him, Miss Minnie Burns who 
passed to spirit life about one year before the 
demonstrations ocurred which I have recorded. 
She had, on several occasions, conversed with 
her husband through Mr. Dallas during those 
demonstrations. Mr. Kramer's deceased wife's 
mother and sister lived in Bradford. Airs Kra- 
mer was raised a Catholic, and was a devout 



death; the meaning and result. 121 

member of that church at the time of her death. 
The mother and sister, and I think all of the 
Burns family, are devout Catholics. Mr. Kramer 
was very anxious to have his mother-in-law and 
sister-in-law witness the phenomena and if pos- 
sible talk with the spirit of his wife. According- 
ly it was arranged that Minnie's mother and 
sister were to call at my office November 25 at 
8 o'clock. They reported promptly at the time. 
Mrs. Burns seemed to think by her conversation 
that it was wrong to disturb the dead and call 
their spirits back to earth, if it could be done, 
which she doubted very much. Soon after the 
ladies arrived loud raps were heard about the 
room, on table, floor and furniture. The spirit 
claiming to be the cause of the raps said she 
was Minnie Kramer, who, by a code of raps al- 
ready explained, carried on a lengthy conversa- 
tion with her mother and sister. Mrs. and Miss 
Burns were considerably excited over what they 
heard and seemed to think that they had really 
met the spirit of Airs. Kramer. Soon after the 
occurrence Mrs. and Miss Burns took their de- 
parture. 

November 26, 1893. I am now about to re- 
cord a very strange experience. I am aware 
that in the ordinary or semi-extraordinary, hu- 
man evidence has its potency in the affairs of 
the human family in material matters. But in 
the realm of that finer matter commonly denom- 
inated spirit, human evidence loses much of its 
force if it is not entirely discredited. Especially 



122 death; the meaning and result. 

is this so if the evidence given is based on ex- 
perience far transcending the experience of man- 
kind in general. Such evidence, receiving no cre- 
dence by the incredulous, is usually attributed 
to falsehood, for a purpose centered in the wit- 
ness, or an emanation of a diseased mentality. 
To the former I plead not guilty. In penning 
this record I have no purpose whatever to serve 
except to tell the truth. To the latter I will say 
that I firmly believe in my sanity, and think at 
least that I know, as I know any other fact, 
what I am about to record concerning my own 
experience is not a creature of a mentality lack- 
ing in a healthy condition or proper equipoise. 

Outside of my own judgment as to my men- 
tal condition I will leave the question to my 
friends and acquaintances who knew me before 
the occurrence and perhaps will know me subse- 
quent thereto. Furthermore, those who may 
come in contact with the record herein penned 
will observe as they proceed that my evidence 
is corroborated by the evidence of E. M. Dallas, 
in-so-far at least as the possibility of such ex- 
perience is concerned. I now proceed with a 
record of events. 

Last evening after the departure from my 
office of Mrs. and Miss Burns, Kramer and Dal- 
las, as mentioned in preceding record, which was 
about 10 o'clock p. m., I lit a cigar, went to my 
library, took therefrom the work entitled "First 
Principles" by Spencer, and began to read leis- 
urely. I became interested in the book and read 



death; the meaning and result. 123 

on oblivious of fleeting time; but finally in fin- 
ishing a chapter I looked at my watch and was 
surprised to see that it was thirty minutes past 
midnight. I replaced the book in the library, 
locked the door leading into the hall from my 
office and commenced to prepare for bed. My 
office consists of two rooms one of which serves 
me as a sleeping room. As I deliberately pre- 
pared for bed, I was thinking about what I had 
been reading a few minutes before. I had taken 
off my coat and vest, collar, necktie, and was 
about to sit down to remove my shoes when I 
felt what I thought to be a draft of cold atmos- 
phere coming into the room with quite a force. 
I thought I had left one of the windows in the 
other room open and stepped in to close it, but I 
found all the windows closed. I a.gain made 
sure that I had locked my door thinking I might 
not have done so. I found the door locked. 

I then passed into the bedroom part of the 
office and was about to sit down to re- 
move my shoes when in came the draft of cold 
air. I looked up and was much startled to see 
two men standing, one a little behind the other, 
but not far distant from me. I thought when 
I first saw them that they were robbers and 
that I was in for it, and to confirm that idea I 
noticed that they had a peculiar dress and rath- 
er swarthy complexion which I supposed was a 
make-up to hide their identity. I did not think 
of spirits. Such things had no place in my think- 
ing machine just then. I had some money on 



124 death; the meaning and result. 

my person and a watch and the disagreeable 
thought of losing them disturbed me. A person 
under trying circumstances thinks very rapidly. 
Not a word had been spoken by the supposed rob- 
bers or myself. I expected every moment to hear 
the command given "hands up" but that did not 
come. I was looking into the eyes of the fore- 
most man. They did not seem to be unpleasant 
eyes to look at; quite the reverse, rather fasci- 
nating. 

In a few moments in reality, but what seemed 
an age to me, I finally said: "What business 
have you in these rooms and what do you want 
here?" The foremost or one nearest me replied: 
"You evidently take us to be men in the flesh 
but we are not; we are spirits, and have been 
sent here by our superiors to conduct your 
spirit to a place designated." Strange to say, 
but it is a fact, I felt sort of a relief to find 
out that they were spirits and not robbers in 
the flesh. I said: "Who are you and what do 
you and your superiors want of me?" The re- 
ply was: "It matters not who we are or what 
is wanted we are commanded and must obey 
and so must you." I began to feel peculiar and 
shaky. I began to be drowsy. One of the spir- 
its approached closer to me and finally took 
hold of my hand. I tried to arouse myself. I 
tried to speak and shake off the spell but I had 
no power of speech or resistance, and the spirit 
then ordered me to lie down on the bed. I had 
to obey. I then observed the other spirit ap- 



death; the meaning and result. 125 

proach me and both of them made passes over 
my body. I tried to move. I could not stir a 
finger. I tried to speak. My tongue refused to 
obey my will. In a few minutes I saw myself, 
or what looked like me, standing between the 
two strange spirits, and I also saw myself lying 
on the bed. My mind seemed to be clear, but 
try as I would I could not speak. I thought: 
"Is this death. Is this the separation of the 
spirit from the body and if so is it final?" 

Many thoughts ran through my mind. When 
I first beheld myself outside my body I felt 
rather weak and exhausted, but I noticed that 
I was growing strong rapidly, and the exhaust- 
ed sensation was giving place to a feeling of re- 
lief. After viewing the situation for a moment 
I made an attempt to approach my body, but 
seemed to be withheld by the strange spirits 
and the avenue of approach barred. Soon 
one of the spirits said to me: "Follow us." I 
sensed that I ought not to go and tried to 
speak but could not talk. I summoned all 
the resisting power I could, but it was of no 
avail, and as the strange spirits seemed to pass 
right through the solid brick wall of the 
room I followed them through also. On the 
outside of the wall one of the spirits took 
the lead, bade me follow him and the other 
spirit followed me. When we began to move 
it did not seem to be at a fast rate, but 
soon it seemed to me that we were going 
at a rapid speed. It was not unpleasant to me, 



126 death; the meaning and result. 

rather a nice sensation. It seemed to me that 
we were at quite an altitude, and that our 
course was south-east. My sense of sight seem- 
ed to be increased, for while flying through space 
I could see hill and valley, river and lake, city 
and country. Not a word had been spoken 
since leaving the room. Finally we seemed to 
slaken in speed and all at once I felt we had 
stopped advancing and were slowly settling to 
a lower level. 

In a moment a strange sight came to view. 
I seemed to be standing still, and had entered 
what looked to me to be a very large room with 
oval roof, not very high, round in shape, and 
commencing about twelve feet from where I 
stood, in what seemed to be the center of the 
room, there arose a pyramid of seats or benches 
one above the other, and occupied as far as my 
vision extended by myriads of people, many of 
whom seemed to be attired in a peculiar way 
and of dark swarthy complexion. When I arriv- 
ed in the place I seemed to be the center of 
attraction and there was quite a commotion of 
people. After I found myself in this place the 
guide left me and twelve strangers approached. 
About this time, kind of getting acclimated to- 
my surroundings, I happened to look over to 
my right and, horror of horrors, could it be 
possible? I looked hard and long. I certainly 
could not be mistaken; there about twenty-five 
feet from me stood E. M. Dallas. I tried to 
speak to him, but I could not utter a sound. 



death; the meaning and result. 127 

He looked at me and I thought he tried to 
speak; he acted as though he was anxious to tell 
me something. He was also surrounded by a 
group of men. 

The people about me began to examine me 
closely. I was carefully scrutinized by them. 
I then heard what seemed to be the leader say: 
"So these are the men who propose to bring to 
the planet earth this great light; well men and 
brethren shall this light rest on the earth planet 
in the Ninteenth Century?" By what followed 
it would seem that the question was put to the 
assembly to decide, for as the last words were 
pronounced, there came from the vast multitude 
present a chorus of "noes" in such thundering 
tones that it appeared to me to make every- 
thing tremble with the vibrations. It would 
seem that the speaker considered that the "noes" 
had it for he did not wait for or give the oppor- 
tunity for any "yeas-." The speaker then said: 
"Well then we must see that these men are pre- 
vented from accomplishing their purpose. They 
should have been stopped long since. They have 
been permitted to proceed too far; they now 
know too much." I again looked toward where 
Air. Dallas stood. He seemed nuzzled and 
alarmed and was being, as far as I could make 
out, closely examined by the group of men about 
him. About this time a discussion commenced 
by the men about me as to the better way of 
disposing of Mr. Dallas and myself. Some sug- 
gested that by far the better way would be to 



128 death; the making and result. 

hold our spirits and retain them in the spirit 
world; others argued that to do so would arouse 
to frenzy our friends in the spirit world and 
cause them to inaugurate a force which, to say 
the least, would be annoying to our captors. 
That view seemed to be generally accepted. 

Then it was suggested by one whose judg- 
ment and opinion seemed to carry weight with 
his associates, that the better way would be to 
discover wherein lay the power of Mr. Dallas 
and myself to bridge the chasm between the two 
worlds, and when found or ascertained to destroy 
as far as possible that element or attribute; that 
being done, to conduct our spirits back to our 
respective bodies and then use all their power to 
obliterate or banish from our memory the occur- 
rence of the night. That plan seemed to be the 
favored one. I was then submitted to a very 
close examination. I heard them say that 1 
possessed mediumistic properties which might be 
dangerous. What these properties were I did 
not hear them define. I again looked over to 
Mr. Dallas and was surprised that I could only 
see him from his knees up. The men about him 
were working at something. It looked to me 
that they were building a wall about him. It 
looked like solid substance with which they were 
adding to the obstruction which was gradually 
hiding him from my view. I watched closely, 
and little by little the wall grew. It had the 
appearance of being round in shape, in the cen- 
ter of which stood Dallas. I tried again to call 




J. f/f^njeP. 



death; the meaning and result. 129 

to him but I emitted no sound. Dallas appeared 
to me to realize that he in some way was in 
danger. He looked about himself as though 
seeking some avenue of escape, but none opened 
before him. Higher and higher grew the wall 
until Mr. Dallas was entirely out of my view. He 
had been to all appearance literally walled in before 
my eyes. I then thought "Can it be that they 
have concluded to hold Dallas' spirit and make 
its separation from the body final?" I turned my 
attention to my own condition. My hosts were 
busy. I should judge from their conversation 
they had found something in the composition of 
my organism that they wished to eliminate and 
that they were working to that end. After 
a while the individual whom I judged to be the 
leader came forward again and examined me 
closely and said: "No doubt that is sufficient. 
He will not be able to harm our cause again." 
He then spoke in a voice as though calling some 
one, and immediately the same spirits who had 
conducted me from my office to the place ap- 
peared and he said to them: "Take this spirit 
back from whence it came, see to it that it enters 
its mortal body and is made comfortable, after 
which return here." 

Immediately I seemed to be on the move. I 
was being lifted up; by what I could not under- 
stand. At a certain altitude, after a little hesita- 
tion or halting, our course was taken, one spirit 
ahead and one in the rear of me. I realized that 
I was returning b} r the same route as I came. 



130 death; the meaning and result. 

The speed seemed to be about the same; in a 
little while another halt and a settling down 
and Bradford came in view. We were at the 
Robert's Block, and we re-entered my office. 
Once in the office and bedroom, I saw my body 
lying in the same position in which I left it. I w-as 
draw r n towards the body; I was at its side and 
my spirit hovered over the body for a second 
and settled on and merged into it. 

What awoke me from slumber I cannot tell but 
I was aroused suddenly. I assumed a sitting 
position on the bed. I felt confused but not 
tired. What had happened? There I was on my 
bed with pantaloons, over-shirt, shoes and 
stockings not removed. How came I in such a 
condition? I sprang off the bed very much com- 
plexed. In a moment the w r hole proceeding 
flashed before me. All the occurrences passed 
before me in panorama and everything as related 
appeared real and substantial. I looked at my 
watch and was surprised to learn that it was 
11:30 a. m. I am usually an early riser and 
generally have trouble in sleeping after 8 a. m. r 
and here I had slumbered to 11 o'clock and 
past. I thought of Dallas and the condition he 
was in when last seen in that horrible place. I 
thought: "Can my experience be real and w T ill I 
find Dallas' body cold in death?" I became 
alarmed and as rapidly as I could do so I put 
on my vest, coat and overcoat to go where 
Dallas was rooming, in the Nickel Plate Block, 
a short distance from my office. I was in the 



death; the meaning and result. 131 

act of opening the door and about to pass out 
of the office on my mission when I met Dallas 
in the body of flesh. I grasped his hand and 
said: "Dallas I am glad to met you this morn- 
ing." 

We passed into the office and I was about to 
tell him my experience. It then occurred to me 
that perhaps I had better say nothing to him 
about it as it might make him nervous. I am 
glad that I did not for had I done so I would 
never have known to what extent what he pro- 
ceeded to relate to me might have been colored 
by my intended narration. He looked very much 
troubled and careworn, and I said: "Dallas, 
I do not wish to frighten you but you do not 
look well. You look more careworn than I ever 
have seen you before; has anything happened?" 
He looked at me for a moment and said: "Did 
nothing happen to you last night?" I said: 
"No, not much; why do you ask that question?" 
He said: "John, I am afraid that we will not be 
able to communicate again with our spirit 
friends. I have had a very strange experience. 
About twelve o'clock last night, or perhaps a 
little earlier, I undressed and got in bed in my 
room. Soon after I was in a reclining position, 
and before I went to sleep, I saw two men come 
into my room. I knew by the way they came 
in that they must be spirits. They were strang- 
ers to me. I had never seen them before. They 
looked and were dressed like Eg} T ptians. 

"While I was looking at them and wondering: 



132 death; the meaning and result. 

who they were and what they wanted they came 
tip to my bed where I lay and addressing me 
said: 'We have been sent here for you and you 
must come with us.' When I first saw them 
come into my room I did not feel afraid for I 
had seen so many spirits that I had got used to 
them; but when they came up to me and told 
me I must go with them I became frightened. 
I tried to move but seemed to be unable to stir. 
I tried to speak and was horrified to find that 
I could not utter a word. I really saw my 
spirit separate from my body and after the sep- 
aration I could see myself standing a little dis- 
tance from the bed, and could see my body lying 
on the bed. My face had no expression paid I 
thought: 'Is this a final separation of body and 
spirit?' The strange spirits said: 'Come with 
us without delay: we have no time to lose/ I 
followed them without a question for I could 
not help doing so. We all passed through the 
outer wall of the room with no inconvenience, 
and once out of the room we seemed to start at 
a high rate of speed; but I was able to take 
things in as we passed along, for I could see 
long stretches of beautiful fields, now a forest, 
now a village and large cities. 

"It was a pleasant sensation as I sped along 
and I seemed to go without any effort or concern 
on my part. I did not, while in transit through 
space, think or wonder where I was going, who 
was leading me or for what purpose. Finally 
we seemed to enter into a different atmosphere, 



death; the meaning and result. 133 

and I could hear voices in the distance but could 
not hear or distinguish what was being said. 
We then in an instant settled down to a lower 
level than the one in which we had been trav- 
eling and all at once I was ushered into the 
presence of mam r , many thousand spirits. They 
seemed to be in a commotion and more or less 
excited. Some of the spirits were evidently offi- 
cers or leaders of the rest. After a few moments, 
a tall man, with a commanding demeanor, rather 
swarthy in complexion, with small but piercing 
black eyes approached me accompanied by a 
few other spirits. The leader then said: 'So 
this is the spirit of whom we have heard so 
much?' My guides answered and said: 'This is 
the spirit.' The boss then said: 'You did well 
to bring him here.' 

"I could see and hear very plainly what was 
going on, said and done, but was given no 
opportunity of speaking a word myself. I was 
wondering all the time what they were going 
to do with me. I could see thousands of spirits, 
most all of whom seemed to be sitting in a 
room built in aphitheater style. All of them as 
far as I could see had their gaze fixed on me 
and I could feel sort of a magnetic current 
about me produced perhaps by their steady fixed 
gaze. I began to feel uncomfortable and won- 
dered if there was any way 1 could escape. I 
was riveted, to all appearances, to the spot 
where I stood. My mind seemed clear and ac- 
tive. I soon became convinced by their conver- 



134 death; the maning and result. 

sation and actions that they were examining me 
very closely to ascertain my mediumistic prop- 
erties and my possibilities as a medium if allow- 
ed to proceed as heretofore. I began to realize 
my position and that my spirit was far from 
where my body lay, and wondered with much 
uneasiness whether the spirits intended to de- 
tain me with them or permit me to return to 
my body. When I was thus reflecting, I heard 
your name mentioned. I heard an order given 
to bring your spirit there; then followed a loud 
shout of approval. Meanwhile they kept on 
inspecting me. In about one-half hour or maybe 
longer after the order was given to bring your 
spirit, there was a great commotion and many 
voices talking. I looked in the direction of the 
noise and was amazed at seeing you standing a 
little distant from me. I am ashamed to say it, 
but I was so miserable and so alone among a 
strange people, that when I saw you I felt a 
sensation of relief and I thought 'well J. K., we 
are each in this mess and I guess to stay too.' 
I tried to speak to you but I could not utter a 
sound. You looked at me at that time as nat- 
ural as I ever saw you on earth except you had 
.an expression of trouble and astonishment. You 
;seemed to be taking close notice of everything 
done and said about you. 

"I saw you looking in the direction where I 
was standing, and I thought you saw me and 
it appeared to me that you made an effort to 
speak to me, but if you did speak I did not hear 



death; the meaning and result. 135 

3^ou. I could hear the spirits talk and argue 
about your possibilities as a medium, and I 
heard them say: 'So these are the individuals 
who have been selected to establish intercom- 
munication between the two worlds. They must 
be stopped and this work must be stopped; it 
must not be permitted to proceed further. Their 
development and powers must be arrested.' At 
the conclusion of some of these sentences the 
shouts which would proceed from these spirits 
were almost deafening. They discussed and 
talked over what had better be done with your 
spirit and mine. I heard some suggest that the 
better way would be to retain our spirits in the 
spirit world; that plan was opposed by others. 
After several propositions were argued pro and 
con it was agreed by them that the best way 
would be to build about us a wall or magnetic 
force which would prevent our spirit friends 
from approaching near us, and then conduct our 
spirits back to the body. From the time they 
arrived at this conclusion up to the time I met 
you a few moments ago here, I did not know 
what had become of your spirit. I was busy 
watching the movements of those strange peo- 
ple. The}^ commenced to build around me what 
looked to me like a solid wall; higher and high- 
er it grew. I realized my danger and I tried to 
escape, but found I could not move. I was 
rooted to the place. The wall continued to 
grow by their manipulation. I tried to speak 
but found that I could not utter a sound. Fin- 



136 death; the meaning and result. 

ally I became literally walled in. Before the 
wall had entirely closed over my head I looked 
up and could see the opening above, and through 
the opening I saw a face looking towards me 
which I am quite certain was your friend Plum 
Mitchell. He appeared to be alarmed and ex- 
cited. He tried to talk to me but I could not 
understand what he said. He started to come 
to me but before he got very close he seemed to 
be forced to retreat. I think if he had come 
sooner he could have rescued me from the peril- 
ous position. The opening at the top of this 
wall grew smaller and smaller until it closed en- 
tirely. I was a prisoner, solitary and alone. 

"I felt at that time a loneliness and despair I 
never had experienced before. I began to feel 
disagreeable generally, and suddenly I collapsed 
entirely and lost consciousness. When I partial- 
ly came to myself again I felt as though I was 
being lifted up. Soon I regained consciousness 
and knew that I was going through space very 
rapidly. On closer notice I came to the conclu- 
sion that I was being conducted towards Brad- 
ford over the same route I traveled before. Af- 
ter a while I arrived at my room. The same 
strange spirits were with me who conducted me 
away. When I entered the room I saw my 
body lying in bed motionless and in the same 
position in which I had left it. I was anxious 
to enter my body and my spirit seemed to be 
drawn to the body and finally entered into it 
with the same ease it had left it. As soon as 



death; the meaning and result. 137 

my spirit entered the body the strange spirits 
departed. I went to sleep almost instantly and 
did not wake up until a little while ago and 
hastened up here to see what had become of 3-ou. 
I am glad to see that you are all right. 

"John, I am certain that what I saw, heard and 
felt last night was not the result of a dream. I 
know it was real, and I am just as certain that 
your spirit and mine were taken away from 
Bradford and earth last night, and by the con- 
versation I heard among those strange spirits I 
am very sure I am not mistaken in my conclu- 
sions. I know they are very much opposed to 
spirits coming to us and they tried to do some- 
thing last night to stop it. I believe that many 
of those strange spirits I saw last night are 
Egyptians, and some are Jesuit Priests. They 
talked our language, or some of them did be- 
cause I could understand them. I don't know 
how I get the idea, but I think the place where 
I -was last night and where I saw your spirit 
is really the Catholic Purgatory. 

"Now what do you think? What, in your 
opinion, does this experience of mine mean? I 
should think you would have a recollection and 
remember of being there yourself. You were 
certainly there for I saw you last night or early 
this morning just as elearly as I see you here 
now." I said: "Well, Dallas, that is a wonder- 
ful experience. What it means I do not know." 
I did not tell him then that I had the same ex- 
perience in detail almost identical. He seemed 



138 death; the meaning and result. 

to be very much cast down and disturbed and 
I thought it the better way to defer relating 
my experience to him until a later date which I 
did. After a little further conversation Mr. 
Dallas left my office at 2 p. m. 

At 3:20 p. m. Messrs. Dallas and Kramer called 
at my office. We were discussing the strange 
experience related by Mr. Dallas above set forth. 
Suddenly I felt a cold draft or current of air, 
similar to the one previously described. I said 
nothing about it to Dallas or Kramer but watch- 
ed closely to see if they would notice it. Soon Mr. 
Dallas said: "I feel as if a cold wind was rush- 
ing through this room; it makes' the chills creep 
over me." I was looking at him but said noth- 
ing. In a few minutes I noticed a decided change 
in his looks; the color receded from his face and 
he looked very ill. I said: "Dallas do you feel 
well?" He replied: u No; when I came into this 
room I felt all right but a little while ago I felt 
a chilly sensation and I now feel very sick. I 
wonder what can be the matter with me?" By 
this time he appeared very ill. I went up to him 
as he seemed about to collapse. I raised him 
from the chair and assisted him to the bed and 
placed him thereon. I spoke to him but he made 
no reply. He had lost consciousness. As I turn- 
ed to get some water to bathe his face I saw a 
strange man in the room. I looked closely, there 
could be no mistake; before me stood the identi- 
cal spirit I remembered of meeting in the early 
morning in that strange place I have already 



death; the meaning and result. 139 

described. I can never forget that personage. 
He was quite tall, swarthy complexion, small 
piercing black eyes, black hair, high forehead, 
rather hollow cheeks and small receding chin. 
He had a quick stealthy-like tread and rapid 
movements. His dress was peculiar and struck 
me as being of Egyptian style. He stepped close 
to the bed on which Mr. Dallas was lying. At 
that time I do not think he realized that I had 
seen him. His whole attention seemed to be 
centered on Dallas. I was startled and puzzled. 
I then without getting water stepped towards 
the bed where this spirit was and as I did so 
he turned and looked at me. I caught his eye, 
he looked malicious and angry, and it then came 
to me that perhaps his presence was the cause 
of Dallas' illness. He then seemed to realize that 
I could see him. I looked straight in his eyes 
and said pointing my finger towards the door: 
"Sir, I know I have met you before in what I 
supposed was your abode. I now meet you in 
my abode. You were master in your household, 
I am master in mine, and demand that you ab- 
sent yourself from here immediately and now." 
My words and jesture seemed to make him un- 
comfortable, and more, my words, perhaps back- 
ed by will power really had the appearance of 
fairly hurling him several feet from me, and by 
will power as it appeared to me I succeeded in 
banishing him entirely from the room and place. 
As soon as this spirit departed Mr. Dallas began 
to revive and soon entirely recovered, and in 
about one hour thereafter left the office seeming- 
ly in as good health as when he entered it. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

A Procession of Spirits — Spirits Sumner and Shoemaker 
Appear — Spirit Sumner Controls Wilson — How Spirit 
Hypnotism Feels — Spirits Opposed to Communica- 
tions—Wilson and Dallas in Purgatory — Arraigned — 
Convictions Fix Locality in Spirit World — Effort 
to Destroy Mediumistic Properties — Visitation of 
Strange Spirit Explained — Spirits Dr. Shoemaker 
and Dr. Eddy Appear — Find Dailas' Clairvoyance 
and Clairaudience Impaired — Call it a Calamity — 
Dallas' Power to See and Hear Spirits Destroyed — 
Spirits Emplov Telegraphy — Wilson Sees Strange 
Spirit. 

On November 27, 1893, 3 o'clock p. m., Dal- 
las Kramer and myself met at my office. Soon 
thereafter we were talking about and discussing- 
our experience on Saturday night and Sunday 
morning last. After thus engaged for about one 
hour loud raps were heard on the floor near the 
table, also on the table. We recognized by the 
tone and other characteristics that they were 
produced by Dr. Shoemaker. 

We then formed about the table. Soon Mr. 
Dallas remarked: "Well, well, this is strange. 



death; the meaning and result. 141 

Here comes Dr. Shoemaker and Mr. Sumner 
walking side by side with arms locked. A little 
in advance of them I see Plum Mitchell; he seems 
to be carrying something which resembles a flag. 
Following Dr. Shoemaker and Mr. Sumner is a 
long procession of spirits. The procession is so 
long that it extends far beyond my vision. 
They are all singing, and such harmonious music 
and melody I never heard before. Now and then 
I can understand the words of the music. They 
are all moving along in the procession two 
abreast. The head of the procession has now 
reached to where you are sitting; as they reach 
this place the rows separate, one line filing to 
the left and one to the right. Dr. Shoemaker 
and Mr. Sumner are standing close by us; the 
rest of them form in about us. The first circle 
is quite close to us, we being in the center with 
Mr. Sumner and Dr. Shoemaker. The second 
circle is immediately in the rear of the first circle 
and so on until a series of circles are formed 
extending out as far as I can see. 

"Dr. Shoemaker now says: 'Good afternoon to 
all. We are all glad to meet you again. I will 
not talk to vou much todav; Mr. Sumner how- 
ever, will speak through the organism of my 
friend John. We have learned something of 
what happened to you Saturday and Sun- 
day last.' Now Mr. Sumner steps up to where 
you are sitting, Mr. Wilson." 

I felt that peculiar sensation with which I 
have become familiar having experienced it on 



142 death; the meaning and result. 

former occasions and I knew what it meant. I 
felt myself rising to a standing position and 
immediately with no effort on my part I began 
to talk. Previous to this time I had requested 
Messrs. Dallas and Kramer to note the time if I 
should be controlled, observe how long I con- 
tinued to talk and what was said. After I 
began to talk on this occasion I knew very 
well that I was talking, but on what subject I 
did not know. Once in a while I sensed that a 
certain word had been spoken but in what con- 
nection it was used I did not have the slightest 
conception. In what seemed to me a few mo- 
ments I again became normal and found nxyself 
seated in the chair I had occupied preceding the 
speech. 

I said to Mr. Dallas: "That was a short 
speech/ ' He replied: "How long do you think 
you were talking?" I said: "About two min- 
utes." He began to laugh and said: "From the 
time you began to talk, or rather from the time 
Mr. Sumner began to talk, until you resumed 
your seat just one hour elapsed." I could hardly 
believe it. I said: "What did Air. Sumner say?" 
Dallas then said: "Mr. Wilson, I never heard 
greater eloquence, and the manner and force of 
delivery are indescribable. He seemed to be 
talking more, or as much, to the great concourse 
of the spirits here than to Mr. Kramer and my- 
self. Some of it was a plane of thought too 
high for us to understand." 

Messrs. Dallas and Kramer had taken some 



death; the meaning and result. 143 

notes of the speech but had failed to report it 
very clearly in this way, but on talking it 
over they agreed that the substance of the 
speech was as follows: "That a certain class of 
designing spirits in the spirit world were very 
much opposed to spirit communications reaching 
mortals on the earth plane unless it be under 
the supervision and control of those selfish spir- 
its. That these spirits had resolved to stop all 
demonstrations through spirit power which 
might be brought about through the organisms 
of Dallas or Wilson and to that end, in the ab- 
sence of our spirit friends, on Saturday night 
and Sunday morning last the unfriendly spirits 
had conducted the spirits of Dallas and Wilson 
from their respective bodies, into a condition 
or place in the spirit world known as "Catholic 
Purgatory." That spirits were held in that 
condition in the spirit world by force of their 
erroneous education in relation thereto which 
was given them on the earth plane before enter- 
ing the spirit world; that spirits so taught be- 
fore leaving the mortal body on entering the 
spirit side of life expect to find just such a condi- 
tion, and their expectation and force of mind fixes 
and locates their abode. 

"On reaching their expected condition or loca- 
tion in the spirit world they are perfect^ satis- 
fied and resigned; they hope some time, indefinite 
to them, to meet the Virgin Mar\r and the 
Saints, but think that the only road leading to 
the throne of the Immaculate is through Purga- 



144 death; the meaning and result. 

tory, and by no other route do they think it 
possible to reach the hoped for goal. As time is 
not an element in spirit conditions it sometimes 
takes many, many years to grow and rise above 
the condition into which error and superstition 
have consigned them. That this condition, if a 
name may be applied to it designating a prov- 
ince of the spirit world, could be called a 
dominion. In that dominion they have their 
organizations, governments, rulers and subjects 
and that Catholicism rules supreme. That rulers 
there like power as well as they did on earth 
and to perpetuate their power they encourage 
and propagate superstition among their subjects. 
"Some of those spirits, in time go higher and 
become wiser; this is brought about as a rule 
through the missionary efforts of a better class 
of spirits. But the rulers thereof do all in their 
power against the missionary work of this kind. 
That the condition in the spirit world is sus- 
tained and encouraged by Catholicism, and by 
the Catholic Church both on earth and in the 
spirit world. That in this dominion Catholics 
have as good if not better organizations than on 
earth and the reflex impress and psychological 
influence of Catholicism on the spirit side of life 
have much to do in perfecting that institution 
on earth. That this dominion you might say 
borders on the earth plane and forms a barrier 
to the better class of spirits visiting and com- 
municating with spirits still in mortal body. At 
the place to which the spirits of Dallas and Wil- 



death; the meaning and result. 145 

son were conducted is this dominion or Purga- 
tor\\ That the spirits that they saw there were 
rulers and subjects. That many Jesuit Priests 
may be found there and former Popes on earth, 
w^ho assume to rule by divine right. That the 
spirits of Dallas and Wilson w^ere taken there 
for the purpose of keeping them on the spirit 
side of life, as we have reason to believe; but 
that on inspection they thought they could des- 
troy your mediumistic properties w^hich they had 
sought to do. How far they have succeeded we 
will be better able to determine later on. We 
are glad, however, that they concluded to per- 
mit your spirits to return to their respective 
bodies. So far as we know, no spirit, no matter 
in what w^ay it entered the condition in 
which you were placed last evening, was ever 
permitted to again return to its mortal body, 
and we are rather at a loss to know why they 
made an exception of you. 

"We think by your experience yesterday after- 
noon, that on reflection the Purgatory rulers re- 
gretted that they had not detained y our spirits 
indefinitely. We have no doubt but that the spirit 
who came yesterday came after the spirit of Mr. 
Dallas and would have accomplished his purpose 
had not the clairvoyance of Mr. Wilson discov- 
ered him in time, and the psychological force been 
able to combat his power and thwart his pur- 
pose. We will watch you more closely and see 
that these designing spirits shall not be able to 
repeat the experiment. We know^ our strength 



146 death; the meaning and result. 

and have confidence in our ability to fully pro- 
tect you in the future." Mr. Dallas then began 
to repeat and said: "We will now leave you 
but will come again; good bye" 

Note. Mr. Dallas' description of what he saw 
at this sitting was truly remarkable. The way 
it was told by him, his expression and demean- 
or all indicated that he was faithfully relating 
what his eyes beheld and his ears heard, or at 
least what he thought he saw and heard. An 
explanation also follows by our spirit friend,. 
Mr. Sumner, of our strange experience on the 
twenty-sixth. It is explained that Mr. Dallas' 
spirit and my spirit were actually separated 
from their respective bodies and conducted to a 
dominion of the spirit world for the purpose of 
ascertaining how it was we had been able to 
communicate so freely with spirits in the spirit 
world. Then it was decided by the enemies to 
destroy all mediumistic properties discovered in 
our compositions and that means were employed 
to that end; that our spirits friends were unable 
to tell just how far the adverse power or spirits 
had succeeded. We are told that we have ac- 
tually been in Purgatory, and that it was by 
the good graces of the power under whose con- 
trol we were that we returned to earth and re- 
entered the mortal temple. To me this is indeed 
a strange and incomprehensible proceeding. 

On November 28, 1893, 2 o'clock p. m., Dallas, 
Kramer and myself met at the usual place. Soon 
thereafter we heard raps. We formed about the 



death; the meaning and result. 147 

table and waited for some time before anything 
developed. Finally Mr. Dallas said: "Here 
comes Dr. Shoemaker. I do not see him as plain- 
ly and distinctly as usual, but I see him plain 
enough to recognize him. He at times becomes 
so dim I can hardly see him and then he seems 
to come into plainer view. He looks sad and 
troubled. I do not think he tries to talk to us;. 
if he does I do not hear him. He seems to be 
examining something; now he comes to me and 
seems to be looking me over; he occasionally 
looks at Mr. Kramer. He holds out his 
hand and appears to come in contact with 
some element or substance which he ex- 
amines closely. Now, here comes Dr. Eddy. 
He is talking to Dr. Shoemaker; I cannot hear 
what he sa} r s. Now he goes away and Dr. 
Shoemaker continues to examine this substance. 
I wonder what it can be. I don't understand 
what the Doctor is trying to do; he don't say 
a word. Now here comes Dr. Eddy again; he 
goes up to Dr. Shoemaker and thev talk to each 
other very earnestly, but I cannot make out a 
word they say." 

Mr. Dallas stopped talking and sat for a few 
moments and then gave a very sudden start. I 
was watching him closely and he had every ap- 
pearance of being startled by someone speaking 
unexpectedly to him, close to his ear. He sud- 
denly looked around as if to see who had spok- 
en and said: "Dr. Shoemaker can that be pos- 
sible; it is too bad." Mr. Dallas then seemed to> 



148 death; the maning and result. 

be listening and said: "The Doctor has bad 
news for all of us; it is very hard for him to 
talk and be heard; he says: 'Friends, I am very, 
very sorry to say that I find here a condition 
little short of a calamity. When making the ef- 
fort to approach Mr. Dallas a few minutes ago 
I came in contact with a force or element which 
I never before found in this atmosphere. I find 
it, on examination, to be psychological in its 
nature, and has in it a powerful repelling force 
to spiritual elements. Mr. Dallas seems to be 
entirely walled in by this substance. By a strong 
effort and will power I have succeeded in break- 
ing through this wall, but as I came near Air. 
Dallas I met another obstacle and condition 
more to be regretted. I find that the spiritual 
sight and hearing of Mr. Dallas have been great- 
ly impaired. You w^ould say, diseased, in your 
vocabulary, if reference were had to the physical 
eye and ear; perhaps we may use with propriety 
the same expression in reference to the case be- 
fore us. In order that you can better under- 
stand I will t>ut it as follows: I find over the 
spirit vision of . Mr. Dallas a growth or film 
which almosts destroys the sense of vision and 
may in time become entirely blind to spiritual 
substance. I find also that a disease or condi- 
tion exists impairing for the present and in time 
may entirely destroy his sense of hearing spirit 
voice and articulation. We may be able how- 
ever to remove the barrier, and arrest, if not en- 
tirely cure, the disease. Every effort will be 



death: the meaning and result. 149 



made to that end. It may however take months 
to do so. I have no doubt and in fact I know, 
that the conditions I find here so pernicious in 
their effect, and their existence so much to be 
regretted, are the results of the workings and 
the manipulations of the selfish spirits whom 
you met and to whose abode you were con- 
ducted Saturday night and Sunday morning last. 
In my opinion, Mr. Dallas, this will not be per- 
manent with you, and in time you will see and 
hear clairvoyantly and clairaudently as well as 
before this happened. I perhaps can compare 
this trouble or condition of your spiritual sight 
to bring it within range of your comprehension 
in no better way than to say, that the difficulty 
I find here bears a similar relation to the spirit- 
ual sight as a cataract does to the physical 
sight. It may take a long time to remove it but 
please be patient and I assure you that ail will 
be done that possibly can be. John, Mr. Sumner 
will be with you a great deal of the time. I 
connot see that your mediumistic properties have 
been interfered with. You have clairvoyant 
properties which are being stimulated and devel- 
oped. I think you will be able to see spirits 
clearly in the future. In fact you have already 
seen spirits clairvoyantly but you did not fully 
realize the fact. This will not prevent Mr. Sum- 
ner or myself and other spirits from coming in 
your atmosphere, although Mr. Dallas may not 
be able to see us or hear us talk. It is by very 
great effort that I make him hear at the present 



150 death; the meaning and result. 

time. We will devise some means to keep you 
advised. Now I will say good bye but will 
come again/ ' We all bid the Doctor good bye. 
Some few minutes after Mr. Dallas stopped re- 
peating what Dr. Shoemaker had to say we be- 
gan to discuss the wonderful revelations. Mr. 
Dallas among other things said: "The Doctor 
had to get close up to me and talk in my ear, 
and then I could hardly hear what he said." 

Note. What is told us on this occasion, if 
true, is deplorable. We are informed by the 
spirit Doctor that sure enough the designing 
spirits had succeeded in impairing if not entirely 
destroying Mr. Dallas' clear seeing and clear 
hearing properties through which he had been 
able to see spirits so plainly and hear them so 
distinctly. If this be so it is a calamity taken in 
the light of our present investigations. The spirit 
Doctor, however, holds out some hope of recov- 
ery. He speaks of my mediumistic properties 
and thinks they have not been impaired by my 
experience in Purgatory. If we should become 
.spiritually blind and deaf our investigations 
must end; time alone will determine that. 

On November 30, 1893, at 8:20 p. m.; Dallas, 
Kramer and myself met at the usual place. We 
formed about the table and soon loud raps were 
heard on and about the table. By the charac- 
teristics of the raps we recognized them as being 
produced by spirit Dr. Shoemaker, but to be 
sure I asked: "Is this Dr. Shoemaker rapping?" 
Answer "Yes," by raps. I then said: "Can you 



death; the meaning and result. 151 

show yourself to Mr* Dallas tonight?" "Don't 
know." Question — "Will you try?" Answer 
— "Yes." We then all remained silent for about 
twenty minutes when the familiar raps began 
on the table and the following dialogue occurred: 
Question — "Have you been able to do so?" 
"No." "Is his inability to see you the result of 
the difficulty and injury to his spiritual sight 
or clairvoyance of which you spoke at our last 
meeting?" "Yes." "Do you find his spiritual 
sight more impaired than you supposed when 
you were last here?" "Yes." "Can Mr. Dallas 
see anything in that way?" To this question no 
answer came. I then said: "Do you desire me 
to ask Mr. Dallas concerning it or if he does see 
you?" "Yes." I then asked Mr. Dallas if he 
had seen Dr. Shoemaker this evening. Mr. Dal- 
las said: "I did not see him this evening or any 
other spirit and have heard no spirits talk or 
converse except by raps." Question — "Doctor 
do you think Mr. Dallas' clairvoyance destroyed 
for the time being?" Answer — "Yes." "Also his 
clairaudence?" "Yes." "Do you think it can be 
restored to him again?" "Yes." "Will it take 
some time to do so?" "Yes." "During the in- 
terim w r ill you and your spirit friends try and 
devise some means of talking to us or commu- 
nicating with us more expeditiously than by 
raps?" "Yes." "Can anything along that line 
be done this evening?" "No." "Will it take 
time to devise some means of communicating?" 
"Yes." "Do you wish to say anything more to 



152 death; the meaning and result. 

us this evening?" "No." We bid the Doctor 
good night and in response a succession of raps 
were heard about the room and then all was 
silent. 

Note. In the conversation had with the spirit 
Doctor a bad state of affairs is developed and 
the worst of our fears realized. After the exper- 
ience in the sitting preceding this I was much 
concerned by what the Doctor said in regard to 
Mr. Dallas' clairvoyance and clairaudence being 
impaired, still he then held out hope to us that 
it could be restored; but in this interview less 
hope is entertained of a complete restoration. 
We are promised, however, that our friends will 
make an effort to devise some other means of 
communicating "with us. 

On December 3, 1893, 8 o'clock p. m., Dallas, 
Kramer and myself met at my offiice. We were 
not expecting any spirit demonstrations at this 
meeting. We had much to say to each other 
about the great calamity that had befallen Mr. 
Dallas in his being deprived of his ability to see 
and hear spirits. I made the remark: "Well it 
is certainly to be very much regretted that we 
are now unable to talk to spirits direct. I won- 
der if Mr. Dallas' spirit sight and hearing will 
be restored to him; if that proves to be impos- 
isble I am anxious to know if our spirit friends 
can devise any means whereby they can con- 
verse with us with greater ease and more con- 
venience than with raps, as raps are usually 
limited to answers to direct questions." 



death; the meaning and result. 153 

As I concluded the last sentence there came on 
the table a succession of distinct raps. This in- 
novation stopped our conversation. The raps 
were different than any we had heard before. A 
continous rapping was kept up by the unseen 
force for at least three minutes. Neither Dallas, 
Kramer or myself spoke. When the rapping 
stopped I said: "Is this a spirit friend who is 
rapping?" Answer — "Yes." The raps answering 
this question we all recognized as being pro- 
duced by Dr. Seoemaker. Nothing further was 
said for a few minutes, and then a peculiar suc- 
cession of tapping on the table began and con- 
tinued for some time. When the tapping ceased 
I said: "Dallas, that sounds like telegraphy." 
immediately as if in response, there came on the 
table three very loud raps with such force that 
they perceptibly jarred the table. I then said: 
"Dr. Shoemaker, were those continous tappings 
on the table intended for telegraphy?" Answer 
by raps: "Yes." "Can you operate in tele- 
graphy by tapping so we can understand and 
read?" "Yes." Mr. Dallas by that time had 
become considerably excited and much interested 
and informed me of the fact, of which I was 
before ignorant, that he had, in his boyhood 
days, studied telegraphy and could at one time 
send and receive messages quite readih r . I was 
pleased to learn that for I knew very little about 
the art. I then said: "Well Doctor, have the 
spirit operater proceed slowly in rapping tele- 
graphy and maybe Mr. Dallas can make it out."^ 



154 death; the meaning and result. 

Immediately the tapping began on the table. 
Mr. Dallas was all attention. At first and for 
a few minutes he could not read the message. 
I reached him paper and pencil and the tapping 
became less rapid. Mr. Dallas began to write, 
and in a few minutes we had on the paper our 
first telegraph message which is as follows: 
"We, your spirit friends, believe we can open up 
direct and satisfactory communications to you 
by telegraphy. W. P. Shoemaker, Plum Mitchell, 
opr." We were overjoyed. A new way had 
been found whereby our spirit friends could 
communicate with us and in a way least ex- 
pected; but which, if successful, will be a won- 
derful thing. The tapping began again slow but 
distinct. Dallas wrote as he received the follow- 
ing: "At the present time it requires much force 
to operate in this way. We are confident the 
process can be simplified and made practical. 
We will study to improve it; good night. W. 
P. S., Plum Mitchell, opr." When we read the 
message we were all highly pleased and thanked 
the spirits for their efforts. 

Note. At this time a ray of light appears to 
illumine the gloom. We are told that a means 
has been devised by our spirit friends of com- 
munication with us by telegraphy. In fact it is 
here put to the test by raps and proven to be 
a success, though in this way, relying on the 
ability to read by rapping out the Morse alpha- 
bet by dots, dashes and spaces, is rather unsat- 
isfactory, That, however, by itself is a wonder- 



death; the meaning and result. 155 

ful phenomenon. Just think for a moment. Rap 
following rap, on a table with no visible being 
w T ithin four feet of it, and by the succession of 
raps you are made aw^are that in this way the 
unseen power is using the Morse alphabet in 
telegraphy, and can thus convey to you w r hat 
they wish to say. This is what actually occurred 
at this sitting. By this it is made plain that 
the operator though unseen is conversant with 
the Morse system of telegraphy. Now if they can 
in any way utilize and employ a telegraph in- 
strument the phenomena will be still more 
wonderful. 

On December 4, 1893, it so happened that 1 
was in my office reading. My mind was entirely 
engrossed and occupied by the subject of peru- 
sal. I was not thinking of spirits. The time 
w^as ten o'clock p. m. Suddenly I felt what ap- 
peared to be a forcible draft of cold air. I look- 
ed up from my book and toward the door sup- 
posing the door had not been latched and had 
blown open by a gust of wind. I saw the door 
was closed but my eyes rested on the unex- 
pected. About eight feet from wdiere I sat stood 
a man. I did not know" him; had never seen 
him before. He was not looking at me when I 
first saw him and seemed to take no notice of 
my presence whatever. He stood sideways to 
w r here I sat, one foot in advance of the other 
foot, left hand in his pants pocket, his right 
hand hanging carelessly by his side. His dress 
and general appearence indicated that he was pol- 



156 death; the meaning and result. 

ished, educated and refined. At first when I saw 
him it startled me quite a little, and then on 
second thought it occurred to me that what I 
saw was a spirit. I was not excited or nervous 
then. I sat still with eyes riveted on him, but I 
said nothing. He finally took two steps in ad- 
vance from where he stood when first seen by 
me. He had the appearance of being in a great 
study, as if revolving in his own mind some 
complex problem. After thus advancing he 
stood with head a little inclined to one side, 
gaze seemingly fixed on the floor, for, I should 
judge, three minutes. He then turned his face 
toward me, and looked me squarely in the face. 
What a face his w r as to study. I shall never 
forget it. He looked at me for fully a minute 
and seemed to be studying my makeup or read- 
ing, or at least making an effort to read, my 
thoughts. I expected every moment he would 
speak but he uttered not a word. I was fast 
becoming uneasy and embarrased under his fixed 
steady gaze and said: "Good evening sir." The 
very moment I spoke he disappeared from view. 
I sat still for a few moments hoping that he 
would come again into view. I wanted to talk 
to him if possible, and find out who he was and 
w T hat he wanted, but he failed to re-appear. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Spirit Mitchell Present — Gives Messages by Telegraph 
—First Message — War in Spirit World— Its Cause — 
How Conducted — Spirit Telegraphy Explained— Ad- 
vised to Procure Battery and Telegraph Instrument 
— Battery and Instrument Procured — Spirit Mitchell 
Directs Arrangements — Operates Instrument — First 
Spirit Message by Telegraph Instrument — Messages 
From Spirits Sumner, Edd\ r and Shoemaker — Spirit 
Prof. F. R. S. Introduced — Christmas Meeting— Din- 
ner and Banquet— More Messages. 

December 7, 1893, 8:30 p. m., Dallas, Kramer 
and myself met at the usual place. Since our 
meeting on December 3, I had provided my- 
self with a Morse alphabet in telegraphy and 
familiarized myself with it as much as I could. 
Air. Dallas had also, as he informed me, been 
practicing what he could in receiving by telegra- 
phy. We had been together and in conversation 
about half an hour when a tapping or clicking 
was heard by all present. It seemed to proceed 
from a place on or near the table from which 
we happened to be seated quite a distance. Mr. 



158 death; the meaning and result. 

Dallas and myself immediately recognized the 
sound, and distinguished the formation of letters 
of the Morse alphabet. Mr. Dallas then spoke 
and said: "This is Plum Mitchell operating. He 
says that he was somewhat familiar with tele- 
graphy before he entered into spirit life and that 
it comes sort of natural for him to operate now. 
He says that Dr. Shoemaker is here and wishes 
to give us a message. Mr. Mitchell says that 
the Doctor is not familiar with telegraphy and 
that he will do the operating for the Doctor/ ' 
I said: "All right we will be glad to receive the 
Doctor's message. " Then the tapping began on 
the table very plainly and quite rapidly and Mi\ 
Dallas said: "Mr. Mitchell, you will have to 
send much slower than that as I am rusty and 
cannot receive rapidly." 

While Dallas was talking the tapping or tick- 
ing ceased, but as soon as he concluded it began 
much slower, however, than at first. Now and 
then I could make out a letter myself but was 
not familiar enough with the system to get the 
letters quick enough to combine them into words 
and at this particular time I was ignorant of 
what he was sending. Air. Dallas was all at- 
tention and finally the clicking stopped. 

Mr. Dallas then said: "Mr. Mitchell, I think 
I got your message in substance but not word 
for word. If you will please repeat it to me I 
will read it out loud to Mr. Wilson as I receive 
it, and if I make any mistake correct me." Im- 
mediately the tapping or ticking began and Mr. 



death: the meaning and result. 159 



Dallas began to read as follows: "Dear friends: 
I am very glad to be able to communicate to 
you in this way. We have been able to arrange 
so we can telegraph to you in this way with 
less force than was required the other evening. 
We are certain we can still further improve 
along these lines. I must tell 3^011 this evening 
what will sound strange to you, but never-the- 
less it is a fact of which we, your spirit friends, 
think you should be informed. The many spirits 
in the spirit w^orld who desire to establish lines 
of direct communication to mortals on the earth, 
find themselves opposed in their efforts by a 
force emanating through and by a low order of 
spirits of which you have been informed some 
time ago. We, for a long time, tried to allay 
the opposition by kindness, moral suasion and 
argument, but all to no purpose. As a last re- 
sort to accomplish our purpose we have been 
obliged to resort to force. In fact the efforts to 
establish, by spirits in advanced spheres, a line 
of direct communication between them and earth 
and the opposition to that plan by spirits of 
lower spheres have brought about a condition 
of warfare in the spirit world. This warfare is 
carried on along much the same lines as a war- 
fare on the earth plane, so far as tactics go, 
but of course the weapons and their effects differ 
from those employed in earthly combats. Our 
weapons are psychological and electrical. They 
do not kill, as w^e are dealing with immortals, 
but they wound, and those who come within 



160 death; the meaning and result. 

range are shorn of their strength for a time 
corresponding to the force of the discharge. We 
have had several brushes with our enemy. We 
prepared ourselves for possible emergencies, and 
to show you how determined the opposing forces 
are, I will state that on yesterday as you meas- 
ure time we met them in battle and the disabled 
spirits resulting from the engagement were as 
follows: number of enemy wounded 65,826 — num- 
ber of friends wounded 33,422. So you see 
friends that warfare is a possibility in spirit life. 
We will keep you informed from time to time as 
to results. The operator is getting very tired 
and we will have to quit for the present; good 
evening to all. William Patterson Shoemaker, 
Plum Mitchell, operator/ ' The effort to receive 
this message tired Mr. Dallas considerably, but 
he soon recuperated. 

What a triumph in telegraphy. Another way 
has been found to hold converse with spirits 
freely. What a revelation in this message. 
"Warfare" in the spirit world. How strange 
and startling. On reflection, however, intelli- 
gence of warfare in the spirit world should not 
be strange or considered impossible, for are not 
spirits human and many of them only one 
move on the great chess board of eternity from 
earth conditions? 

December 14, 1893, 9 o'clock p. m., Dallas, 
Kramer and myself met at my office. We w^ere 
soon engaged in discussing matters in general 
when, in about twenty minutes after our meet- 




Position of Instrument after May 15, 1894. 




Position of Instrument when First Used by Spirit Power. 



death; the meaning and result. 161 

ing, our attention was arrested by quick, sharp 
raps on the table which we recognized as similar 
to those produced at our last meeting. The raps 
continued. I could not read telegraphy well 
enough to make out what was said. 

Mr. Dallas was again all attention and said: 
4 'I can read the message; this is spirit telegraphy. 
Dr. Shoemaker is here and desires to give us 
some more messages. " I said: "I am glad to hear 
that the Doctor is here. Please proceed with 
the telegraphing. " Immediately the raps began 
and Dallas read as follows: "Dear friends I am 
glad to meet you again. We, your spirit friends, 
met the enemy in combat again on last Tuesday, 
December 12, as you measure time. I am glad 
to be able to say that your friends won a great 
victory. In the engagement I am sorry to say 
that many of your friends were wounded, among 
whom is Dr. Eddy. The number of friends 
wounded are 242; the number of enemies wound- 
ed are 2,113. This victory, as we look at it, 
will give us an opportunity to establish an elec- 
tric line direct from our sphere to earth and 
will enable your friends to communicate along 
this line by telegraphy by currents conducted 
much the same as currents a.re conducted along 
material wires in the system of telegraphy now 
in use on the earth plane. We desire you as 
soon as possible, to get a Gassner dry battery, 
number fifteen, and connect therewith a Morse 
telegraph instrument. Connect the instrument 
to the battel^, the same as those in use gen- 



162 death; the making and result. 

erally. W. P. Shoemaker, P. M., opr." The 
tapping stopped, but I had the message on paper; 
I wrote as Mr. Dallas read. I then said: "All 
right, Doctor, we will get a battery and instru- 
ment as. you direct." The rapping then began 
and Dallas read as follows: "We must now 
leave you; will come again soon; good night.' ' 

Note. At this time we were told to provide 
for the use of our spirit friends a battery and a 
Morse telegraph instrument and connect the 
instrument with the batter}^. If they can use a 
Morse instrument for telegraphing it will cer- 
tainly simplif}' the manner of communicating 
with our spirit friends. 

On December 20, 1893, Lyman C. Howe de- 
livered a lecture in the evening at Armory Hall 
this city. Dallas, Kramer and myself attended 
the lecture. The subject was on Spiritualism 
and was a very able production. After the lec- 
ture, Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my 
office. After being seated and making ourselves- 
eas}^ we began to discuss what had been said in 
the lecture. After talking thus for a few min- 
utes the familiar sharp and distinct raps began 
on the table. Mr. Dallas took a seat at the 
table and remarked that this was rapping tele- 
graphy, in which way we received the following 
message: "Good evening, gents. We were over 
at the hall with you and enjoyed hearing the 
lecture very much. Mr. Sumner was there and 
he is also here now, but he is not able to rap. 
We are working hard to complete our arrange- 



death; the meaning and result. 163 

ments. We have been very successful so far in 
overcoming all points of opposition since our 
victory. Very little resistance has been offered 
to us since our last battle and we think that 
no more obstructions will be thrown in our wa} r 
by our enemies. We will have everj^thing in 
readiness on the evening of December 24 to try 
telegraphy on an instrument. If possible pro- 
cure battery and instrument, as before suggested, 
by that time, and we will see what we can do. 
W. P. Shoemaker, P. M., opr." After the above 
message was received the rapping ceased. I 
then said: "Thank you Doctor for this message. 
I will see, through Mr. Dallas' assistance, that 
a battery and instrument are provided and con- 
nected up as you instructed us on the evening 
of the 14; so you can rest easy on that point. " 
As soon as I quit speaking the rapping began 
again and the following message was received: 
"Thank you. This is rather a tedious work 
operating in this way and draws heavily on 
our force. We are all confident of success with 
the instrument. Now we will leave you for the 
evening; good night to all. W. P. Shoemaker, 
P. M., opr." 

December 24, 1893. During the interim from the 
time we received the last message, December 20, 
we had busied ourselves as we could towards 
procuring a battery and telegraph instrument 
for use this present evening. A number fifteen 
Gassner dry battery- and Morse telegraph instru- 
ment, such as is in common use by telegraphers. 



164 death; the meaning and result. 

were procured, with sufficient insulated wire to 
make proper connections of the instrument to 
the battery. Messrs. Dallas, Kramer and myself 
met at my office at 8 o'clock p. m. We were 
anxious to see and learn if telegraphy could be 
accomplished on the instrument by spirit power 
and intelligence. Mr. Dallas and myself were 
examining the battery and instrument and dis- 
cussing the best way to make the connection. 
While thus talking the familiar rapping telegra- 
phy began on the table and informed us that 
our spirit friend and operator, Plum Mitchell, 
was present, and that he would be glad to as- 
sist us in any way he could. We thanked him 
and asked him how we had better arrange it. 
He suggested setting two tables which were in 
the office in a parallel line with a space of eight 
or ten inches between them, placing the key in 
the centre of one of the tables and the sounder 
at the farther end of the other one, and the 
battery near the centre on the floor and connect 
up by wire. We proceeded to follow his instruc- 
tions. 

After placing the key and sounder as before 
indicated I measured the distance between the 
two and found it to be six feet and two inches. 
We then placed the battery on the floor near 
the centre of the key and sounder and connected 
them to the battery by wire in the usual way. 
Two large gas-jets directly above the tables 
made it very light in the room. Mr. Dallas took 
his seat at the table on which the sounder had 



death; the meaning and result. 165 

been placed and about four feet from the key, 
thus being entirely out of reach of the key. I 
took a position opposite Air. Dallas, near the 
sounder, with Mr. Kramer to my left. 

We had been seated about one minute and 
what a revelation opened to my vision and sense 
of hearing. I saw a sudden vibration of the 
key of the instrument to which touch by unseen 
hands the sounder responded loud, rapid and 
clear. Again and again that was repeated and 
had every appearance and indication that the 
instrument was being tested by a skilled electri- 
cian. After testing, letters began to be formed 
in the common Morse alphabet, letters into 
words and words into sentences which were 
ticked off by the instrument clearly, distinctly 
and intelligibly as though at the helm was a 
master in the art of telegraphy. We were all 
attention and amazed at the result. The first 
words received from the instrument in this won- 
derful way were: "Everything is in good work- 
ing order. We have a line, invisible to you, 
connected with this instrument and leading to the 
headquarters of your friends in the spirit world. 
I will now arrange the circuit and you will 
receive messages over the line on this instru- 
ment. P. M., opr." 

Dallas, Kramer and myself looked at each 
other but said nothing. I can say for myself 
that I was for a moment paralyzed with aston- 
ishment. Mr. Dallas had provided himself with 
paper and pencil and again the key vibrated, the 



166 death; the meaning and result. 

sounder responded with every resemblance of a 
call and response by operators over a line. Let- 
ters and words followed and we received the 
following message written by Mr. Dallas as he 
took it from the instrument: "December 24, 
1893. Spirit headquarters. To bur fellow work- 
ers of the earth plane: We, your spirit friends, 
send you greetings. Our success is complete. 
This is another victory over our enemies, one 
which will do much for our cause both on this 
side as well as on your own. Charles Sumner." 
Strange results! wonderful phenomena! The 
first message by telegraphy, so far as I know, 
ever received by mortal on the earth plane from a 
spirit along a line direct from spirit abode. The 
instrument was again in motion, and a second 
message was received which is as follows: " Hello, 
John, this is indeed a great success. It greatly 
pleases me to be able to speak here for you; I 
am very happy indeed. We will be able to do 
much for you through this phase, but excuse 
me from saying more to you; others have mes- 
sages to send. Plum Mitchell." And another 
message follows: "I am happy to be able to 
speak to you direct once again; you no doubt 
will be overjoyed at your success. Dr. Eddy." 
Still another message: "December 24, 1S93. To 
my friends: Again we are placed on the highest 
pinnacle of success, from which never again will 
we fall; and friends, it is with the greatest of 
pleasure I greet you all. William Patterson 
Shoemaker." I also received a private message 



death; the meaning and result. 167 

from my mother, and then we received the fol- 
lowing message: "We have much to tell you 
but will hold over until tomorrow. Many of 
your spirit friends will call on you tomorrow 
and if agreeable to you will accompany 3^011 to 
dinner. Goodnight. C. S." After congratulating 
each other upon the success of the recent experi- 
ment, Dallas, Kramer and myself separated. 

December 25, 1893, 10:30 a. m., Dallas, Kram- 
er and myself met at my office; this was Christ- 
mas morning, a day held sacred in commemora- 
tion of an event which happened several centuries 
ago, and on which Christian people, or many of 
them at least, base their hope of a future life. 
I was cogitating in my own mind what addi- 
tional evidence I would receive on this day of 
the resurrection of at least some of my friends 
and acquaintances. The telegraph instrument 
had remained connected with the battery as 
when in use last evening. 

In about twenty minutes after we were seated 
about the table, the telegraph instrument began 
to operate. It started to click so sharply and 
clearly and just at that particular time so unex- 
pectedly, that it startled us; only for a moment, 
however. Soon it stopped for a minute or so 
then began again. I could plainly see the key 
working to which the sounder w r as responding. 
Letters in the Morse alphabet were being sound- 
ed. I was familiar enough w T ith the alphabet to 
distinguish many letters but as yet could not 
receive or read readily. Mr. Dallas began to 



168 death; the meaning and result. 



read the message which I wrote and we soon 
had the following on paper: "Good morning 
friends. I am very glad to meet you on this 
Christmas morning. I hope you are all well. 
W. P. Shoemaker. " We all said: "Good morning 
Doctor/ ' and I continued: "We are well and 
we are very glad to meet you again.' ' "John, 
do you remember of seeing a spirit in your office 
on the evening of December 5, a stranger 
to you? W. P. S." I said: "Yes, Doctor, I 
remember the occurrence very well." Then the 
following message: "Well, the spirit you saw 
then is here now. He is one of our leaders in 
this work and has done much to make what 
your spirit friends have shown you, possible. 
He had before leaving the earth plane acquired 
fame as a scientist and since his advent into 
the spirit world has applied himself to the study 
of the law governing the return to earth of 
excarnated spirits. He has been brought into 
close relation with our spirit friends and with 
you as our work has progressed, and has been 
here at your office very often although not vis- 
able to you except on that occasion. While he 
is a stranger to you in the general acceptation 
of the word you are by no means a stranger to 
him. He does not desire me to introduce him 
to you gentlemen by the name by which he was 
known on earth for reasons perhaps with which 
you will become familiar later on. He will be 
known to you for the present at least only by 
some of the titles or degrees conferred on him 



death; the meaning and result. 169 

by scientific associations and institutions before 
he entered spirit life. I now take pleasure, gen- 
tleman, in introducing to you Professor F. R. S. 
W. P. Shoemaker, P. M., opr." 

The telegraph instrument came to a rest and 
I said: "Prof. F. R. S. we are all glad to meet 
you and hope we may be favored with your 
presence often.' ' Again the instrument was in 
motion and Dallas read as follows: "'Good 
morning, gentlemen, I am very glad to meet you 
in this way. I also thank Dr. Shoemaker for so 
kindly introducing me to you. While I am a 
stranger to you, still, as the Doctor said, you are 
not strangers to me. I have met you at this 
place often since our work began. I hope that 
your acquaintance with me will be as agreeable 
to 3'ou as I know yours will be to me. I have 
watched with great interest the progress of our 
work among you, and have been much pleased 
with the results. It is my highest ambition to 
do what I can to prove to the human family 
on your side of life: First, that every human 
being has a soul. Second, that that soul survives 
physical death. For the purpose of working to 
that end with the inevitable chain of effects 
which will follow I have joined hands with your 
spirit friends, aided by myriads on our side of 
life, with a force which we think will prove 
irresistible. F. R. S." 

The telegraph instrument again rested. A 
stranger had been introduced, and, judging from 
the clear cut expressions contained in the mes- 



170 death; the meaning and result. 

sage, of no contracted caliber. The instrument 
resumed and ticked off the following: "Well, we 
must leave you for the present. Before going I 
wish to say that some of your friends from our 
side of life will be here to dine with you today. 
What time do you have dinner?" I said: "We 
would be pleased to have all come who can. 
We will have dinner at 1 p. m." The instru- 
ment resumed and said: "Thank you, we will be 
here in time; good day until we come again. 
W. P. S." We all said: "Good bye." 

When leave was taken as above noted Dallas, 
Kramer and myself discussed much of the unprec- 
edented phenomena witnessed by us and won- 
dered if spirit possibilities had no limit. Time 
sped along. We had attended to ablutions and 
made ready for dinner. We seated ourselves to 
await our expected guests. 12 o'clock came, 
12:30, and no evidence of spirit presence. Soon 
thereafter a very perceptible local disturbance 
of the atmosphere of the room was felt by all 
of us, followed by raps, loud and distinct, seem- 
ingly in all parts of the room. We looked at 
each other not knowing what to expect next. 
Soon the telegraph instrument began to rattle 
and said: "Well, gentlemen, many of your spirit 
friends are here and awaiting your pleasure to 
join you at dinner. We are not very large caters 
so don't be alarmed. We will accompany you 
to your hotel but wish you to excuse us from 
returning here after the meal for if agreeable to 
you we wish to meet you here this evening; so 



death; the meaning and result. 171 

after dinner, with your permission, we will repair 
to our spirit homes. W. P. S." The instrument 
rested and I said: "Dr. Shoemaker and friends, 
I and my friends here welcome you all on this 
occasion. We will excuse you after the meal if 
you so desire and shall be pleased to meet you 
this evening." Again the instrument resumed: 
" Thank } r ou, we are ready at any time." 

We put on our over-coats bade our friends 
join us and started for the hotel. On the way 
to the hotel, and as we passed down the street, 
we heard loud raps on the side- walk close beside 
us and in the rear very much resembling the 
marching of quite a large concourse of people. 
That continued to the very door of the hotel. 
We entered the dining room and seated ourselves 
at the table. It so happened that no other per- 
sons in mortal form except ourselves sat at the 
table. After being seated a succession of raps 
were kept up on the table, about the table on 
the floor, and on our plates. When the waiter 
came to take our orders the rapping ceased. 
When the waiter got our orders and went to 
get them filled the rapping continued with but 
little intermission until we had finished our 
repast and started on our return to the office. 
On reaching the office all seemed to be quiet. 
Evidently our spirit friends had not returned 
with us. After a few minutes of conversation 
Dallas and Kramer took their leave on promise 
to return to the office at 9 p. m. 

We again met at my office at 9 o'clock. We 



172 death; the meaning and result. 

were soon commenting on what had been pro- 
duced by our spirit friends during the morning 
and wondering what was in store for us along 
the same lines during the evening. They had 
promised or expressed a desire to meet us this 
evening. I was certain they would keep their 
promise, for at no time up to the present writ- 
ing have they failed to keep their engagement. 
On this particular occasion I was at a loss to 
know just how I could entertain them to best 
conduce to their pleasure. It was Christmas 
evening; they had dined with us, but had excus- 
ed themselves immediately after dinner, so that 
their calling would be practically an after dinner 
gathering. Taking this view of it I had provid- 
ed or rather had at hand some wine and cigars 
which I placed on the table in the office, as evi- 
dence, if for no other purpose, of our hospitality 
to our expected guests. 

At 9:30 we all felt that peculiar current of air 
circulating about the room of which I have be- 
fore spoken. We understood what it meant. 
Our friends were present. In a few minutes the 
telegraph instrument began to work in a man- 
ner before explained. The key was vibrating, 
the sounder responding, but no visible agency 
appeared. Mr. Dallas read as follows: "Good 
evening, gentlemen, we are glad to meet you 
again. We observe you have your hospitality 
in evidence here on the table for which accept 
our thanks. Please move your chairs closer to 
the table. Place what other chairs you have 



death; the meaning and result. 173 

around the table in a circle then be seated and 
we will give yon some messages. W. P. S." 
We did as directed; took our seats; Mr. Dallas 
provided himself with paper and pencil; the in- 
strument resumed and Mr. Dallas wrote the 
following message: "December 25, 1893. Christ- 
mas evening, 9:45. Gentlemen, this is indeed a 
pleasure to us to be gathered around this gay 
and festive table. It is the acme of success, and 
now for the first toast of the evening. 'Long 
life and prosperity to our fellow workers who 
have so generously provided for us.' Prof. F. R. 
S." The instrument stopped for a moment 
and then resumed: "The Profossor is very mod- 
est in signing his abreviations. Before he came 
into spirit life besides a right to use F. R. S. he 
had a right to use many others and also had con- 
ferred on him the Legion of Honor of France. C. 
S." There was a short intermission between the 
messages, and they evidently emanated from 
two different personalities. I take the initials C. 
S. to be the initials of Charles Sumner. 

After a few moments the instrument resumed 
and we received the following message: "X'ms 
evening, 1893, 9:56 o'clock. My beloved friends 
and co-workers, John Wilson, J. L. Kramer and 
our worthy operator, E. M. Dallas: I am so 
overjoyed with success and happiness that I do 
not know what to say to you at present. I 
will speak again during the evening. William P. 
Shoemaker." The sounder rested for a moment 
and then resumed: "How little do we know 



174 death; the meaning and result. 

of the wonders of spirit life while in the body, 
John; of the power and love which fills the at- 
mosphere in which we exist. You, my friends, 
are the beginning of all direct work and truth 
from our great plane, and I am happy to say, 
know and trust that what can be done, you 
will do to your utmost in fulfilling the duties 
required of you. Judge Campbell. ' ' After the above 
was given and signed the instrument rested for 
a moment and then gave the following: "I will 
propose 'to the love and strength which binds us 
together and the power which shall never be 
broken.' C." Evidently the message was given by 
the same personality who gave the one signed 
"Judge Campbell," and very likely the "C." stands 
for Campbell. However that is only my opinion. 
After a rest of a few minutes the sounder tick- 
ed off the following: "After what had been said 
by my leaders what can I say that would in 
any way add to the greatness of this noble 
work which has been born here and which will 
spread until it has filled the entire earth with 
its glory. Success to the mediums through 
whom it shall be brought about. Judge Wil- 
son." A little pause and the instrument resum- 
ed: "I have indeed looked forward to the time 
when I could speak through this instrument as 
I am now and be able to aid this cause. There 
is no mistake in our success this time. Why we 
are here, is to unite us all and we hope ere long 
to advance this cause to stay, and we say with 
that love which will be shed abroad will reach 



death; the meaning and result. 175 



all. Now that we are able to come direct we 
feel most happy and cannot really express our 
feeling. Our power is incomprehensible and we 
might say almost unlimited. A great many 
ladies here bless you all. We have dropped 
threads soon pick them up and be able to con- 
vince all, great harmony among you as near as 
possible to us. Charles Sumner." The sounder 
rested and Mr. Dallas complained that the last 
message was sent too rapidly and that he was 
not able to get all the words. I discovered it 
had some disconnected sentences which would 
indicate that Mr. Dallas' complaint was well 
founded. 

After reading the message I said orally: "Mr. 
Sumner your message is evidently abreviated by 
the receiving operator." On finishing the last 
sentence the instrument began as follows: "Yes, 
so I perceive. I sent a little too rapidly for 
Mr. Dallas but that don't matter; 1 think you 
have the substance of what I wish to say. C. 
S." I then said: "Mr. Sumner your controlling 
me to talk seems very strange to me. I cannot 
understand how it is done." The instrument re- 
sumed and said: "When I enter into your body 
as a spirit I have a full control of all your sen- 
ses even more so than you have j^ourself in your 
normal condition. C. S." 

After a brief rest the sounder began to tick 
and we got the following: "I will say in con- 
clusion be ready for a call from us at am r time. 
Your dutv will be set forth to vou clearly here- 



176 death; the meaning and result. 

after by Charles Sumner. Have no fear, remem- 
ber we lead and you follow; the way is open, 
success is yours from the start, glory and tri- 
umph at the finish, and an untold of spiritual 
and earthly battle will be won in all points 
with the aid of your spirit band and your hum- 
ble servant. William P. Shoemaker.'' A rest 
for a moment and again we got: "I wish be- 
fore leaving you for the evening to thank you in 
the name of your band for the beautiful dinner 
you served us today; we all enjoyed it very much 
indeed. For the spirit band, Charles Sumner." 
A little short rest and then we got: "We will 
now leave you for the evening but will come 
again soon. Good night to all. W. P. S." The 
sounder rested and we all said "good night." 

December 26, 1893, 9 p. m., Dallas, Kramer 
and myself met at my office. The telegraph in- 
strument had remained connected with the bat- 
tery. We took seats quite a distance from the 
instrument and began to talk on general topics. 
Soon the familiar tick greeted our ears, and the 
telegraph instrument was again in motion. 
Dallas had provided himself with paper and 
pencil and he received and wrote the following: 
"Good evening to all. We are glad to have the 
pleasure of meeting you again. It gives you 
much more strength to be together often and 
also gives us opportunities of working about 
you which we otherwise would not have. You 
are very kind in providing for us in this way. I 
am sure we enjoy it. Charles Sumner." I will 



death; the meaning and result. 177 

state here that on this evening after Dallas and 
Kramer came to the office I set a box of cigars 
and a bottle of wine on the table and made the 
remark, after passing a cigar to Dallas and 
Kramer, that if any of our spirit friends were 
there that I hoped, in their own way they w^ould 
help themselves. I will also state that we had 
trouble with the telegraph instrument. It did 
not seem to work with that ease and clearness 
as on former occasions. After a little rest the 
instrument was in motion and we received the 
following: "Let us drink to the success of the 
cause while we have the opportunity to do so, 
before the instrument gives out. W. D. Eddy." 
On the foregoing suggestion I prepared glasses 
and poured a little wine in each one as evidence 
of sort of a love feast over the success of this 
wonderful spirit telegraphy. Soon the instru- 
ment was again in motion and the following 
received: "Friends, I wish to thank you person- 
ally for your kindness to me and our spirit 
friends. Minnie Kramer." Then a short rest 
and the following was received: "We will now 
leave you for the evening; we will soon visit you 
again; good night to all. William P. Shoe- 
maker." 

December 31, 1893. At this time Dallas and 
Kramer met at my office at 9 o'clock p. m. 
Previous to this meeting Mr. Dallas had taken 
the telegraph instrument and battery away 
from the office for the purpose of repairing some- 
thing that had become detached about the 



178 death; the meaning and result. 

sounder and getting the battery recharged. Soon 
after meeting this evening, we heard raps on the 
table. They soon developed into rapping tele- 
graphy which I have already explained and we 
got the following message: "Good evening to 
all. I see that you have removed the instrument 
and battery. Be sure to have them here to- 
morrow afternoon. We have to go back now 
and do not know that we can be here again 
tonight. Charles Sumner." A rest of a few 
moments then the following message: "Tomor- 
row being the first of the year we would like to 
have the same arrangements as were made on 
Christmas da}^. All of you try to be here. Dr. 
Shoemaker." I said: "All right, Doctor, we will 
be here tomorrow afternoon and have the in- 
strument and battery. We also desire all spirits 
who can to dine with us tomorrow and attend 
an informal banquet at the office after dinner." 
Immediately after I ceased speaking the rapping 
telegraph}^ began and said: "Thank you very 
much. We will be glad to do so and join you 
in anything you may have to offer. Good night 
to all. W. P. S." Getting nothing further Dal- 
as, Kramer and myself soon separated. 



CHAPTER X. 

More Spirit Telegraph}- — Spirits' New Year Greeting- 
Spirits J. Gould and William H. Yanderbilt Introduced 
— Banquet to Our Guests — Spirits of Professor F. R. S., 
Mr. Gould, Mr. Yanderbilt, Dr. Eddy, Plum Mitchell, 
William Mitchell, Mrs. Kramer, Mrs. Wilson, Judge 
Wilson, Judge Campbell, Mr. Bethune, William Shop- 
perle, Charles Sumner, Dr. Shoemaker Present — Con- 
trolled by Sumner— Entertained at Dinner — How 
Spirits Eat and Drink Explained — Manner of Dress 
Explained. 

January 1, 1894, 10 a. m., Dallas, Kramer 
and mvself met at my office. Mr. Dallas had 
brought the battery and telegraph instrument. 
As soon as he arrived we connected the instru- 
ment with the batterj^ in the same manner as 
before described, and took seats quite a distance 
away and awaited results. In a few- minutes 
the key began to work without the aid of any 
visible agency, the sounder responded and ticked 
off the following message: "Good morning, gen- 
tlemen. I wish to bid you all a Happy New 
Year. I will now connect this instrument w r ith 
the invisible w r ire w r hich leads to spirit head- 



180 death; the meaning and result. 

quarters on our side. Plum Mitchell." We all 
said: "Good morning, Plum; we wish you also 
a Happy New Year." Soon the instrument clicked 
off what resembled a call, a moment's rest, and 
then what seemed to be a response to the call, 
then rested for a few minutes. 

During the meantime Mr. Dallas had provided 
himself with paper and pencil and took a seat 
at a table quite a distance from the instrument, 
ready to write any message that might come. 
The sounder finally began and ticked off the fol- 
lowing: "Spirit headquarters, January 1, 1894. 
To our friends J. K. Wilson, E. M. Dallas and 
J. L. Kramer: All the spirit world join in wish- 
ing a bright and Happy New Year. Charles 
Sumner, Plum Mitchell, opr." A rest of a few 
moments and then the following was ticked off: 
^Dear friends: Allow me to join hands with you 
on the breaking forth of this New Year, one 
which means so much to you and one which 
will be filled with entire victory from beginning 
to end. Dr. Shoemaker, P. M., opr." A little 
rest and we received the following: "I will add 
that we have found it impossible to be with you 
at dinner today. We will join you at dinner 
later on. We will, however, be at your office 
about 5 o'clock p. m. Try and be on hand at 
that time, say 5:30 p. m. We will defer further 
telegraphing until that time. Dr. Shoemaker, 
P. M., opr." The telegraph instrument was at 
rest. After discussing the wonderful phenomena 
in telegraphy we were witnessing, we separated 
to meet again at the office at 5 p. m. 



death; the meaning and result. 181 

5 o'clock p. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met 
at my office. During the interim I had provided 
cigars and wine in way of having an informal 
banquet on the New T Year day, as an evidence to 
our spirit friends of hospitality to all who could 
be present. The instrument had remained con- 
nected with the battery. At 5:20 o'clock we 
seated ourselves to await results. I was looking 
at my watch to see how punctual our spirit 
friends would be in their appointment. At 5:30 
p. m. to a minute the instrument began to click 
and w r e received the following message: "Good 
afternoon, gentlemen, I have w r ith me today 
two gentlemen from our side of life to whom you 
have not been introduced. Although they have 
been here before but invisible to you. I now 
take the pleasure of introducing to you Mr. J, 
Gould and Mr. W. H. Vanderbilt. Dr. Shoe- 
maked, P. M., opr." The sounder rested and I 
said: "Mr. Gould and Mr. Vanderbilt, I am sure 
we are very glad to have you here; all are wel- 
come. " The sounder resumed and we received 
the following: "John, I see you have sort of a 
banquet provided here. We all appreciate your 
hospitality. We have here with us this after- 
noon Prof. F. R. S., Mr. Gould, Mr. Vanderbilt, 
Dr. Eddy, Plum Mitchell, William Mitchell, Mrs. 
Kramer, Mrs. Wilson, Judge Wilson, Judge 
Campbell, Mr. Bethunc, and William Schopperle. 
Please arrange what chairs you have in a circle 
around the table for those whom I have named. 
Dr. Shoemaker, P. M., opr/' The sounder rested 



182 death; the meaning and result. 

and I said: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to 
all." I then arranged the chairs as directed and 
said: "Please be seated." Dallas, Kramer and 
myself also took seats in the circle of chairs, 
though some distance from each other. 

In a few minutes after being seated the instru- 
ment ticked off the following: "5:48 p. m., Jan- 
uary 1, 1894. Gentlemen, you are now entering 
into a vast field of that future which lays before 
you. You are about to start on a great mission 
of spirit work; about to begin in the battles of 
good against evil; but let me assure you that 
we are here to help you, to guide and direct 
you through all. You are born to rise to that 
height never attained before. Your path is open 
and soon your march of glory will be sung in 
choirs of the spirit world. Therefore I am hap- 
py to say to you, welcome 1894. Prof. F. R. S." 
A short rest and the following message: "Allow 
me to say to you in the name of the ladies 
present, we give you our love and best wishes 
for the coming year. Judge Wilson." I then 
said: "Ladies and gentlemen, on this occasion 
I will ask you to join me in a libation of wine." 
I suited the action to the sentence by pouring 
from the bottle setting on the table at the time 
a small quantity of wine for each spirit who as 
we had been told was present, and set the glasses 
on the table and waited results. Soon the in- 
strument was again clicking and we received 
the following: "We drink to future success in 
this, our hour of victory, confusion to our enemies 



death; the meaning and result. 183 

and a glorious future to all. Charles Sumner.' ' 
A little rest and then the following message: 
"It more than repays me for all I have gone 
through to be here among you this evening and 
see the results which have been brought forth. 
Plum Mitchell/ ' And then the following mes- 
sage: "The greatness of the work before you 
all and the earnest way you enter into it more 
than repays me for the feeble manner in which I 
have helped to produce these results. J. Gould. " 
And then the following message: "I will also 
repeat the sentiments expressed by my friend, J. 
G. I am pleased to be of any service to you 
and to help you with all my power. We are 
satisfied and trust you are. W. H. V." And 
then the following: "I am not of much use to 
you in your work but my inclinations are in the 
right direction and if I cannot help you, you 
have my best regards. Will Schopperle." And 
also another message as follows: "John, this 
reminds me of old Edenburg times. I am proud 
to think that I have the advantage over so 
many spirits of knowing you while in the body. 
Success to our work. Dr. W. D. Eddy." A little 
rest and then the following: "Last, but not 
least, I will say to you for all present who have 
not spoken, w^e are happy in the present state of 
things and can say you deserve these results. 
We have all enjoyed the kind way you have 
treated us. Now we will leave you for the 
night but you will hear from us again soon. I 
will say for the present, good night. W. P. 



184 death; the meaning and result. 

Shoemaker." The instrument was finally at rest 
after being manipulated by an unseen power in 
such a wonderful manner. 

January 3, 1894, 1 o'clock p. m., Dallas and 
myself met at the usual place. Soon after Mr. 
Dallas' arrival at the office the telegraph instru- 
ment began its mysterious ticking and we receiv- 
ed thereby the following message: i 'January 3, 
1894. Mr. Sumner wishes to say to you, John, 
that he would like to operate on you today. 
Be all alone from three to five p. m. and he will 
meet you here at 2:30. You will see him when 
he comes. Plum Mitchell, opr." "That is all for 
the present. All be here on Sunday next. P. M." 
I met Mr. Sumner at the hour designated. I 
did not see him clearly. He controlled me hyp- 
notically. I had the usual experience as des- 
cribed on former occasions. 

On this same date, Mr. Dallas and Kramer 
called at my office at 9:30 p. m. In a few min- 
utes after they entered the office the unseen oper- 
ator began to work the instrument and we had 
the following message. "Good evening, boys, 
glad to get you together. Mr. Sumner wishes 
to send you a message, John, over the wire. 
Please wait a few minutes. Plum Mitchell.' ' A 
few minutes elapsed and then we received the 
following message: "Spirit headquarters, Jan- 
uary 3, 1894. To John K. Wilson: I wish to 
say to you that I am much pleased at the way 
you allowed me to control you this afternoon. 
We are not perfect yet but with very little prac- 



death; the meaning and result. 185 

tice will soon be. Thanking yon very kindly for 
giving me your entire attention, I remain, your 
spirit control. Charles Sumner, P. M., opr." A 
little rest and then the following: "I may also 
state if everything progresses as rapidly as it 
has done the past few days we will have you 
all at work within two months. From what I 
can now do with you gives me a good idea of 
what we shall be able to do with you when 
you start out. Charles Sumner, P. M. opr." 
After receiving this message and waiting for 
some time with no other demonstrations coming 
we separated. 

January 5, 1894, Dallas, Kramer and myself 
met at 9 p. m. The instrument had remained 
connected with the battery in a manner already 
described. After a few minutes conversation it 
began to tick and we received the following 
message: "Good evening all. I have nothing of 
importance for you tonight. I am glad to see 
you are together. One thing I would like to 
say; we are all coming to dinner with you on 
Sunday next, so be prepared for company. 
Charles Sumner, Plum Mitchell, opr." In re- 
sponse I said: "Mr. Sumner we are glad to 
meet you again and glad to know that you, 
with spirit friends, are going to dine with us on 
Sunday. We shall be most happy to have as 
many spirits with us at dinner next Sunday, 
January 7, as can come. I am sure you are 
all welcome." In reply we received the follow- 
ing: "Thank you. We all feel that we have a 



186 death; the meaning and result. 

standing invitation on those occasions. I must 
now leave you for the night. Mr. Mitchell will 
remain here with you for awhile. C. S." We 
said: "Good night, Mr. Sumner." 

Soon again the instrument began and we re- 
ceived the following: "John K. Wilson. Oh, we 
are going to have a great time on Sunday and 
don't you forget it. I expect to take a few of 
our old boarders down to your hotel and we 
are going in for a good dinner. I hope you will 
have wine and cigars. From all your Edenburg 
friends and Plum Mitchell/ ' I said in response: 
"All right Plum, bring them all with you on 
Sunday. " Immediately after I pronounced the 
last word the instrument was again in mo- 
tion and ticked off the following: "Thank you. 
I am going to bring with me nearly all the Eden- 
burg boys you know who have passed to our 
side of life and I want to show them what kind 
of a spread we can treat them to once in a 
while. They have heard so much about you 
that they all want to come. Plum Mitchell, 
opr." I then said: "All right, bring all who can 
come." In a few minutes thereafter the follow- 
ing: "This is going to be the dinner of the sea- 
son and between you and I, John, we want to 
do the thing up in good shape. P. M." Imme- 
diately we received the following: "Say, John, 
am I in this dinner business on Sunday? Ira 
Hathaway.' ' 

The last message was the first intimation that 
Ira Hathaway was present on this occasion. 



death; the meaning and result. 187 

He was an old friend of mine whose acquaint- 
ance I formed many years ago at Edenbttrg, 
Pa. I had not heard from him for many years 
and did not know that he was on the spirit side 
of life until October 17, 1893 at which time he 
informed me that he had passed over. On sub- 
sequent investigation I ascertained that Mr. 
Hathaway passed to spirit life some time pre- 
vious to that date. In response to Ira's mes- 
sage, I said: "Certainly you are in this dinner 
arrangement and don't fail to come." Immed- 
iately we got the following: "Thank you, I 
shall be on hand with the rest of your friends. 
Say, John, do you remember Frank Murray at 
Edenburg? I. H." I said: "No, I do not re- 
member him." Then the following: "Well it 
don't matter, he knew you at Edenburg very 
well he is on our side of life now and he desired 
me to ask if you remembered him." 

A rest of a few minutes and then the follow- 
ing message: "Charles S. has gone home, also 
Ira and as no one else is here from our side of 
life I will go unless you wish to ask some ques- 
tions or have a chat with me; I am well posted. 
Plum Mitchell." I said: "Plum, don't be in a 
hurry." I then asked him many questions oral- 
ly to which he gave full answers by telegraphy. 
He inquired about many of his friends whom I 
know, who still live on this side of life and in 
return I asked him about many of my friends 
whom he knew on the spirit side of life. We in 
this way talked over our first acquaintance 



188 death; the meaning and result. 

commencing in Franklin, Pa. many years ago, 
and how our acquaintance had ripened into 
friendship. Many circumstances when Plum and 
I lived in Edenburg were mentioned by him and 
fully discussed many of which I had forgotten 
until he called my attention to them. In fact, 
we had an enjoyable visit of nearly an hour's 
duration in this way. He, although entirely un- 
seen by me at the time, operating on the tele- 
graph instrument in this truly mysterious way. 
I asked him many 1 questions and among others 
was the following: "Plum you speak in one of 
your telegrams of having wine and cigars on 
next Sunday; do spirits really enjoy such things?" 
He answered as follows: "Of course they do in 
their way. We do not literally drink the wine 
or smoke the cigars as you do while in the mor- 
tal body. We sort of absorb the finer qualities 
of the wine; inhale by induction what you 
would call its fumes. To illustrate: supposing 
your mouth was closed so that to drink through 
that channel was impossible but for some rea- 
son you required your system to be toned up by 
alcoholic stimulant; you would take a sponge, 
saturate it with the alcohol, inhale what you 
could and then give yourself a sponge bath with 
it; you would get more or less of it in your sys- 
tem by induction so to speak. That will give 
you something of the idea how spirits eat and 
drink when they come back here in earth's con- 
ditions." Question: "What is the effect of food 
and drink taken in this way by them?" Answer: 



death; the meaning and result. 189 

"Very much the same effect as on spirits before 
leaving the mortal body. The food, that is the 
very finest of its properties, assimilates and is en- 
joyable to partake of, and drink stimulates to a 
greater or less degree, if it has that property in 
its composition. As to cigars, the only way a 
spirit can get any effect is by taking in, as be- 
fore explained, aroma when being smoked by a 
mortal/ ' "I have had the pleasure of seeing 
some spirits since these demonstrations began 
at this office. I have observed that they are the 
exact duplicate or counterpart of their former 
selves in dress, style of dress and in all other 
particulars. Can you explain to me in what 
manner spirits dress?" "That is a pretty hard 
thing to explain so you can understand, but I 
will see what I can do towards giving you an 
explanation. Supposing you was in this room 
perfectly nude; that in the next room you had 
twelve different suits of clothes, numbered 1-2-3- 
4, etc. up to and including number 12. Now 
supposing you would wish to don suit number 
two. You would centre j r our mind or spirit 
force on that suit and by force of the spirit will 
power it would be on your spirit body. Now 
suppose you would wish to don suit number six 
you would, by force of spirit mind, will suit 
number two off and suit number six on, the 
change would immediately follow. This is effect- 
ed much the same as the will power affects 
dress of the mortal body. It is will power, as 
you will perceive on reflection, that dresses the 



190 death; the meaning and result. 

mortal body. While in the body j^our will for- 
mulates and plans for the suit of clothes, you 
follow the plan of your will and employ mater- 
ial means to procure material clothing. A spirit 
out of the mortal body by its will formulates 
and plans for a suit of clothes; it employs spir- 
itual means to procure spiritual clothing. You 
will perceive that in each case the end desired is 
attained by a similar process, though differing 
in characters as spirit differs from mortal. I 
don't know that I have made my answer to 
your question plain. I never tackled that prob- 
lem before and I find it a very hard thing to 
explain. " I said: "Plum I think you have an- 
swered my question admirably. I thank you 
very much." Again he said: "I have enjoyed 
this chat very much. It seems like old times to 
sit down and talk to j^ou. We have had many 
happy hours together and I hope we may have 
many more; in fact I know we will both before 
and after you enter the spirit side of life. I will 
have to leave you now, but will come again 
soon. Good night, Mr. Dallas, good night, Mr. 
Kramer, good night, John. Plum Mitchell." 



CHAPTER XI. 

One Hundred Spirits Entertained at Dinner — Proces- 
sion From Office to Hotel— Their Appearance — Their 
Deportment— Wonderful Telegrams from Spirits- 
Promised Restoration of Dallas' Powers — Demonsta- 
tions of Spirit Sumner's Ability to Impress Wilson — 
Spirits Excuse Themselves — Promise to Return — 
Spirit Mitchell Directs Diagram by Telegraphy — 
Spirit Mitchell and Wilson Talk of Boyhood Days — 
A Song by Spirit Telegraphy — Spirit Sumner Ex- 
plains Difference in Present Method of Communica- 
tion and Method Formerly Emplo3'ed — Entertain 
Spirit Friends at Wagner's Opera — A Strange Mes- 
sage — Sudden Departure of Spirit Friends. 

January 7, 1894, Dallas, Kramer and myself 
met at my office at 12:30 p. m. We expected to 
have our spirit friends for guests at dinner. At 
1:15 the telegraph instrument began to tick and 
we received the following message: "How do 
you do, gentlemen. We fixed up the weather to 
suit us and hope it pleases you; this is indeed a 
beautiful day for the occasion. Charles Sumner f 
Prof. F. R. S., Dr. Shoemaker, Dr. Eddy." We 
said: "Good afternoon, gentlemen. ,, I then re- 



192 death; the maning and result. 

marked: "This is a beautiful day. I hope you 
are ready to accompany us to our hotel for 
dinner." As I finished the last sentence we heard 
a succession of rapping about the office in differ- 
ent places and the telegraph instrument ticked 
off the following: "We are nearly ready for the 
dinner. We are awaiting the arrival here of one 
or two more spirits. On their arrival there will 
be an even hundred from our side of life. Here 
come the expected spirits. Allow me to intro- 
duce to you all the ladies with us. Prof. P. R. 
S." A little rest and the instrument resumed: 
"Now we will arrange for the dinner. You will 
please take Mrs. Kramer to dinner, . Len, she 
wishes to go with you. Sumner.' ' "John K., 
you will conduct your mother to the hotel. 
Sumner.' ' "Dallas, you will take Grace Sumner, 
my niece. Sumner." "The rest of the band will 
follow you down. We will all be ready to move 
at 1:30 sharp. After dinner the ladies will ex- 
cuse themselves and we will be pleased to enjoy 
a cigar along with you. C. S." 

A few minutes elapsed and I received a private 
message from my mother which read as follows: 
"My son, I am so glad to be here with you 
along with the rest of the band. Your Mother, 
Margaret Wilson, P. M., opr." Then a moment's 
rest and the following was ticked off: "To give 
you an idea how we appear to ourselves we are 
now lined up four deep in regular marching or- 
der. At our head are C. S., Dr. S. and the Prof. 
In the centre is Dr. E. and a place remains for 



death; the meaning and result. 193 

me in the last rank bringing up the rear like a 
Major General. You three will lead the proces- 
sion. How little will the people who pass on 
the street think there is such a large company. 
We are ready now. Plum Mitchell, opr." After 
the instrument came to a rest I said: "We are 
ready; come everybody." Dallas, Kramer and 
myself passed out of the office and on to the 
street. We started towards the hotel and in 
our rear came a succession of cadences resem- 
bling the noise occasioned by a large company of 
people marching in step. That noise continued 
to the very door of the hotel. 

We passed into the dining room and took 
seats at a table at which no other mortal was 
seated. After being seated a constant rapping 
and noise by an unseen force was heard by us 
all during the meal. The rapping seemed to pro- 
ceed from the floor and chairs about the room 
and on the table and dishes. It became so loud 
and distinct that it attracted the attention of 
other guests seated some distance from our ta- 
ble; not very long, however, for as soon as we 
became the centre of attention the rapping ceased 
but continued at intervals during the meal. We 
spent quite a time at the repast, but finally took 
our leave of the dining room and hotel. When 
again on the street and during our walk back 
to the office we heard the same noise or step 
cadence which accompanied us to the hotel. Ar- 
riving at the office, I arranged all the chairs I 
could muster and invited all to be seated. 



194 death; the meaning and result. 

In a few moments the instrument began to 
tick and gave us the following message: "Well, 
boys, I should say we got up a great dinner and 
no mistake about it. Ira H. and myself were 
in the kitchen looking after the cooking and 
seeing that everything was all right. It was 
worth all the trouble you were put to to see 
the band eating that dinner and the smile each 
spirit wore. It is a feast long to be remember- 
ed among us. Plum Mitchell." A rest of a few 
moments and the following was ticked off: 
"Well, John, we are ready for the finale of the din- 
ner. The ladies will be conducted by George Wilson 
to the residence of Charles Sumner. They again 
wish to thank you for the handsome way in 
which they were treated. Dr. Eddy, P. M., opr." 

Immediately after receiving the message I said: 
"All right friends, I am sorry the ladies are to 
withdraw so soon. If they desire to do so, 
however, we will excuse them on promise to 
visit us again as soon as convenient." On finishing 
the last sentence the following message was re- 
ceived: "They wish to be excused for the pres- 
ent but will return here later in the day." 
Soon thereafter I placed on the table a box of 
cigars, a bottle of wine, along with some wine 
glasses and said: "Now, gentlemen, I await 
your pleasure, but I hope all spirits here will 
join in the festivities of this occasion and enjoy 
themselves in their own way." Immediately 
the instrument ticked off the following: "Thank 
you. Please arrange the chairs in a circle about 



death; the meaning and result. 195 

the tables, pour a small quantity into each glass. 
Mr. Dallas, Mr. Kramer and Mr. Wilson will 
please light a cigar each for themselves and 
smoke slowly and we wall proceed to enjoy the 
banquet. C. S." 

I proceeded to carry out the instructions, each 
of us mortals lighting a cigar as requested. Af- 
ter being thus conditioned the instrument began 
to tick and gave us the following: "Now, gen- 
tlemen, in the first place allow me to thank you 
in the name of all present for the gorgeous 
spread which you have prepared for us; it is 
very fine and you have the united thanks of the 
whole spirit world. Dr. Shoemaker, P. M., opr." 
In reply I said: "I am sure, friends, you are 
most welcome." Again the instrument ticked off 
the following wonderful message: "January 7, 
1894. To my forces across the vallej^ of the 
shadow of life. Today you are placed on the 
top of the highest summit of the spirit world. 
We have transported this whole room and its 
contents over among us. You can look down 
on the vast space which lays between you and 
earth. See how the world rolls around like a 
fiery ball. See that glimmer of gold threading 
its way through the darkness of the earth plane. 
That gold band of sun-light is your power which 
has been given to you from the spirit world. 
See, it spreads and spreads 'till it envelopes the 
whole earth in its beauty and glory. Now you 
can see yourselves leading the way in the path 
of glory to the very throne of immortal life 



196 death; the meaning and result. 

Hear the whole world shout, glory and victory 
have been completed; immortal happiness reigns 
in your life hereafter, victory at the beginning, 
everlasting life at the end and all men shout 
amen. Prof. F. R. S." 

A few moments rest and then the following 
was received: "To John K. Wilson: As you 
have already been impressed, it will only be 
necessary for me to state that you will hereafter 
have the power of seeing and hearing spirit 
friends in the future. We are of the opinion that 
Air. Dallas will have his full power returned 
doubly strong within a few daj r s. I think that 
is the best news I can give yon. Charles Sum- 
ner, P. M. opr.," Immediately following we re- 
ceived this message: "As there are some spirits 
here who have not witnessed me impress you, 
John, and use your organism to express my 
thoughts, I will, by your permission, give them 
a demonstration. C. S." I said: "All right Mr. 
Sumner you have my permission." 

Then the instrument ticked off the following: 
"To demonstrate to them that I have complete 
control of your mentality, I wish you to step 
out into the hall and out of hearing of this in- 
strument and remain there about five minutes 
then return to this room and resume your seat. 
During your absence I will give Mr. Dallas a 
message over the telegraph instrument, the con- 
tents of which will be unknown to you, and on 
your return I will impress its contents on your 
organism and you will repeat it audibly; now 



death; the meaning and result. 197 

please go far enough from this room so it will 
be impossible for you to hear the instrument. 
C. S." I said: "All right" and left the room, 
passed out into the hall and up to the third 
floor of the block. I heard no sound of the in- 
strument during my absence. I remained five 
minutes and returned to the room perfectly ig- 
norant of any message which had been received 
during my absence. I took a seat in the room. 
In a moment or two after resuming my seat I 
experienced a thrilling sensation. I began to 
talk in a slow manner. I knew what I was 
saying but it was entirely foreign to my thoughts 
when I took my seat. I noticed Mr. Dallas was 
taking down on paper with pencil what I was 
saying. I kept on talking for a few minutes and 
stopped. The strange feeling left me as suddenly 
as it came upon me. Mr. Dallas opened a draw- 
er of the table and took therefrom the message he 
had received during my absence and held it up 
in front of me together with the slip of paper 
on which he had written what I had just said. 
I observed that they were exactly alike word 
for word. I took them and compared them 
more closely. There was no mistake it was a 
true repetition with no variations. Truly a 
wonderful thing, and another evidence of spirit 
power and possibilities. 

Soon the instrument was again in motion and 
said: u Mr. Wilson, that was a perfect impress 
and astonishes many of your spirit friends here 
as much as it does vou. I thank you for sub- 



198 death; tue maning and result. 

mitting to the test. Charles Sumner." A little rest 
and then the following: "We will take a rest. 
Some of the spirits here will return to their 
homes. We wall be here again this evening and 
the ladies will be here also, so after supper please 
all be here. We will all say good afternoon. 
W. P. S., P. M., opr.," The sounder rested and 
we all said: "Good afternoon; but come again." 
Dallas and Kramer left the office at 4 p. m. 
promising to return at 7 p. m. After their de- 
parture I reflected on the wonderful demonstra- 
tions of the day. How wonderfully mysterious 
and at the same time how natural and like hu- 
man entities, what had been done and said by 
our unseen visitors. Then I thought of the prom- 
ise of the presence of ladies from the spirit 
world during the evening. In order to in some 
way show proper appreciation of their presence 
I substituted a mixture of candies for the cigars 
which had formed a part of the luxuries of the 
afternoon banquet. 

At 7:15 o'clock Dallas and Kramer again met 
at mj office. The telegraph instrument had re- 
mained connected with the batter}^ and the 
chairs had remained about the tables as placed 
in the afternoon. After our meeting at this time, 
perhaps ten minutes having elapsed, the instru- 
ment began to tick in that mysterious way and 
gave us the following: "Good evening, gentle- 
men, glad to meet you again so soon. Several 
spirits are here including Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Kra- 
mer, Miss Dallas and Miss Sumner. We will 



death; the meaning and result. 199 

give you a diagram of how we are seated about 
these tables and how we appear to ourselves 
and to each other. We will instruct Air. Dallas, 
the receiving operator, how to draw the dia- 
gram. C. S." A rest of a few minutes and then 
the instrument resumed and the diagram 
shown on the following page gradually assumed 
shape with names written as therein appears. 

After the diagram was finished the instrument 
ticked off the following: "This is the way in 
which we are seated around the table. We give 
the names of some of the most important spirits. 
The rest of the band are lined up at the back 
of the others. Charles Sumner, P. M., opr." 
After examining the diagram the drawing of 
which did not exceed twenty minutes, each line 
drawn and name written being the result of 
telegraph instructions by the unseen operators 
I said: "Gentlemen, we thank you for this dia- 
gram/ J I wish to say also that the position 
shown in the diagram occupied by Mr. Dallas, 
Mr. Kramer and myself, the key and sounder are 
correct. Of the names written Wm. Wilson is 
my brother, George Wilson, my nephew and Mrs. 
Wilson I have no doubt is intended for my 
mother. All the rest except Mrs. Kramer, Miss 
Dallas, Miss Sumner, William Mitchell, Vander- 
bilt, Charles Sumner, J. Gould and Prof. F. R. S. 
were intimate acquaintances of mine before their 
decease, and all of whom I know have passed 
through the transition called death, either by 
my personal knowledge or by well founded and 



200 death; the meaning and result. 























^1 
















Dr. Shoemaker. 




y6 








u 

01 






John K. Wilson. 




hj 


'\ 




ri 




a 










►1 


° 




o 

w 

•T-l 




a 

CO 










o 


H 


^ 




1 




« 


Xfl 
















^ 


• 












6 




cs 








u, 






w 






<u 


Jh # 


J3 








w 






• 


^ 




O 


Q 


U 








T3 







w 


w 


Q 
n 


. 












00 








>"t 


o 






















p 

g 


• 
















^ 


03 




o 
CD 


t/2 














w 






T— H 

Q 


o 










3 


9 ^ 

o 


•ava 


.^ e=L 








^d 








Ml. 










H 










O 

<— i 

CTQ 


P o 

^d b 
>d • 


o 






% 
















o 




•r-t 
















p 


£72 L, 


£ 






• 










3 


O * 


• 

a 






73 










cr 1 


2 td 

^3 O 


£ 
















F 1 


3 ^ 
^ n 










M 

o- 




pa 








3 


• 5 








o 


i 

i 


M 








* 


8 








s 










w 


a p 








a 










• 


• 


















<! 
P 


^H 


• 
















s 


W 


0> 

o> 
















rD 
St 


r& 

r+- 

d 


*! 
















s 
















rf 


rt 


• 

a 










u^uiung ssxj 


\ 














•SBl^a SSXJ 


K 










'hosji/w 


•s 


■*IM 




•jsuibj^j 


•sjj 


M 







death; the meaning and result. 201 

I think, reliable information, except H. J. Beth- 
une of whose decease I have no knowledge at 
the present time except what he tells me as a 
spirit. All the names written on the diagram 
are of people entirely unknown to Mr. Dallas, 
except Miss Dallas, barring what acquaintance 
he had acquired with them as spirits since these 
demonstrations began. A few minutes having 
elapsed after the production of the diagram, 
Mr. Dallas spoke and said: "Why, sister, I did 
not know you were here this evening until your 
name was mentioned in connection with the 
diagram, I have just drawn by instructions. I 
am very glad to meet you again.'' 

Immediately thereafter the instrument began 
to click and for some time a conversation was 
carried on between Mr. Dallas and his spirit 
sister, he speaking orally and she responding by 
telegraphy. I asked Mr. Dallas if his sister could 
operate on the telegraph instrument; he informed 
me that she could not do so and that Plum 
Mitchell was doing the operating for her. 

After this conversation ceased I received the 
following message: "My dear son, I am more 
than pleased and more than repaid for all my 
efforts in trying to do my share in this great 
cause. You know I do not like to say much in 
company. Please accept my thanks for the way 
in which you have treated us this evening. 
Mother." A little rest and then the following: 
"Mr. Sumner would like to hear a few remarks 
from Mr. Wilson and Mr. Kramer. Also the 



202 death; the meaning and result. 

ladies would like to hear from both. P. M., opr." 
In response to this Mr. Kramer excused himself 
by saying that he was not used to public speak- 
ing, and that he felt embarrassed in the presence 
of such distinguished company. I replied: "I felt 
somewhat embarrassed myself but was willing 
to do the best I could.' ' I arose from my chair 
to make a few remarks as requested. During 
this time I felt entirely normal but after I began 
to talk I felt a little thrill pass over me but I 
had no idea but that it was the result of enjoy- 
ment and ecstacy in consequence of my happiness 
in having the honor of, in my weak way, speak- 
ing a welcome to our guests. I had said but a 
few words when I sort of lost myself and kept 
on talking hardly knowing what I was saying. 
I thought I was making a failure in what ought 
to be said on such an occasion but kept, what 
seemed to me, blundering on for a while and sat 
down. I noticed that Mr. Kramer's cheeks were 
wet with tears, and that Mr. Dallas looked sur- 
prised and I said: "What is the matter?" Mr. 
Kramer said: "Mr. Wilson, I never heard such 
a grand speech in all my life. It was so grand 
and pathetic that it did what no other speech 
ever made me do before, that is, shed tears." I 
laughed and said: "I think I know all that was 
said and I am sure that what I said were very 
common place remarks.' ' Mr. Dallas smiled and 
shook his head. I said: "Dallas, is that so?" 
He said: "Mr. Wilson, that was not you talk- 
ing. Some person was talking through your 
organism." 



death; the meaning and result. 203 

I had to smile at the idea expressed by him 
and called his attention to the fact that Mr. 
Sumner, who would be the individual likely to 
control me to speak, if any spirit, had said, by 
telegram, just before I began to speak, that he 
wished to be excused and had left. Mr. Dallas 
still insisted that his theory was correct. Just 
at this time the instrument began to tick and 
said: "Well, gentlemen, we will have to leave 
you for the evening; we have all had an excel- 
lent time. The ladies thank you for the prepar- 
ation you have made far them. They enjoyed 
this very much. Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Kramer, 
Miss Dallas, Miss Sumner. P. M., opr." We all 
said they were very welcome, and hoped they 
would come again soon, and bid them good 
night. 

Following this Dallas, Kramer and myself were 
carrving on a conversation in relation to what 
we had seen and heard during the day and even- 
ing when suddenly the instrument resumed and 
ticked off the following: "Hello, boys, I have 
seen the company all home and I have returned 
to stay a few minutes with you. John, please 
sit down opposite the key here. I am sitting by 
the key. I wish to have another visit and talk 
over the old times. Plum Mitchell." I did as 
requested; soon the telegraph instrument was in 
operation and Mr. Dallas read what it had to 
say. Plum and myself, old friends and chums, 
were again talking of our by -gone da}^s, about 
old friends we had known long ago, about 



204 death; the meaning and result. 



Edenburg and its people. After visiting 
for some time Plum said: "John, don't you 
remember some of the old songs we used to sing 
when we used to sleigh-ride down from Eden- 
burg to Mogs' and Wentlings' corners?" I said: 
"Yes, Plum, I remember some of them but I am 
out of practice and would not attempt to sing." 
Plum resumed and said: "Well, I will sing one 
to you over this instrument before I go." I 
said: "All right, I would like to hear it." The 
instrument then proceeded as follows: 

"For he is a jolly good fellow, 
For he is a jolly good fellow, 
For he is a jolly good fellow; 
Which no one can deny. — Plum." 

This was one of the old college songs that 
Plum and I used to sing on our sleigh-rides, long 
ago, when Plum was a mortal like myself. Now 
after many years of separation, he elevated to 
spirit, I still a mortal, but clasping hands across 
the chasm, he establishing his identity beyond 
question or cavil and proving utterly erroneous 
that trite saying: "He has gone forth to that 
undiscovered country, from whose bourne no 
traveler returns." He has gone to that 
country but has returned. After the song or 
rather the words of the song, I said: "How- 
well I remember those words sung so long ago." 
Then the instrument ticked off the following: 
"Yes, John, long ago; been many changes since 
then. Well, I must go, so good night all. 
P. M." 



death; the meaning x\nd result. 205 

Note. On investigation subsequent to meeting 
H. J. Bethune as a spirit, and of whose decease 
I was only informed at the time by him, I have 
ascertained that he passed to spirit life some 
time previous to 1893. 

January 10, 1894, 2 p. m., Dallas, Kramer 
and myself met at the usual place. The tele- 
graph instrument remained connected to the 
battery as used on former occasions. For a 
few minutes after we met all was very quiet 
so far as demonstrations by unseen forces was 
concerned. Soon, however, it was very evident 
that the spirit operator was at his post, and 
he gave us the following message: "Good after- 
noon, boys. Mr. Dallas, you were in rather a 
bad way last night; you were a pretty sick 
man. We worked on you all night under the 
Doctor's directions and I think we have done 
well in restoring you from the most dangerous 
fever which ever entered into your system. You 
will be all right in a few days. Plum Mitchell." 

I did not understand the message until Mr. 
Dallas told me that early last evening he was 
taken very ill, and that soon after his sickness 
came on him Dr. Shoemaker came to his room 
and by raps told him that he was threatened 
with fever and advised him to go to bed and that 
the Doctor would try and break the fever. On 
being thus advised he immediately went to bed 
and woke up feeling much better in the morning. 
After receiving this message Mr. Dallas orally 
thanked Mr. Mitchell and wished him to thank 



206 death; the meaning and result. 

Dr. Shoemaker for being so kind as to attend 
him in sickness. Again the instrument began to 
tick and gave us the following: "Good day, gen- 
tlemen, I was so busy last night with my sub- 
ject that I feel exhausted. However, I am glad 
to see that he has improved wonderfully. Mr. 
Sumner will be here and speak in a few min- 
utes. Everything is going along smoothly and 
to our satisfaction. Dr. Shoemaker/ ' 

A little rest and then the following was ticked 
off: "Good day, gentlemen, I hope you are all 
well. Charles Sumner." We all said; "Good 
afternoon, Mr. Sumner, we are glad to meet 
you again." And then the following: "To John 
K. Wilson. There is one important question 
which you wish explained. Ask it. Charles Sum- 
ner, P. M., opr." Previous to Mr. Sumner's 
coming I had on my mind a question to ask 
him when he came again. The question being: 
"How is it possible for our spirit friends to send 
a message along the lines from their spirit head- 
quarters to us and which we receive on our 
instrument in my office, while heretofore it had 
been so difficult to get intelligent communica- 
tions from what were termed 'advanced spheres 1 
in the spirit world, even by the means of med- 
iums generally?" I had said nothing to 
Dallas or Kramer or anyone else about the 
question I was going to propound or that I 
thought of asking any question at all. How 
Mr. Sumner knew what was in my mind I do 
not pretend to say; but certainly in some way 
he found out. 



death; the meaning and result. 207 

I asked the question orally when he requested 
me to do so and in answer the instrument ticked 
off the following: "As- you know there are sev- 
eral divisions or circles through which a message 
has to be transmitted. In the first place our 
magnetic force was not powerful enough to pen- 
etrate the distance between your state and ours 
so we had to employ those low r er spiritual pow- 
ers to carry the message from us to you. In 
transmitting it lost nearly all of its originality 
and became so changed that we would hardly 
know it by the time it reached you. Since then 
we have been able to establish relay stations or 
batteries along this line of thought so that now 
we can send a message directly to you without 
the aid of any other power than that of our 
creation, thereby preserving the full power and 
sense of the information. We have therefore 
wiped out of existence that lower force which 
intercepted and retarded us in our work. Charles 
Sumner." 

After receiving this message I said: "Mr. 
Sumner, I thank you very much for this infor- 
mation. It fulh r answers my question." Im- 
mediately we received the following: "I am 
sure yon are very welcome. Any question that 
you may desire to ask from time to time I shall 
be pleased to answer to the best of my abilit}^. 
Well, gentlemen, we will leave you but will be 
here again this evening, and I might add, that 
some of yonr spirit friends, if you have no ob- 
jections, would be pleased to attend the per- 



208 death; the meaning and result. 

formance to be given at the Opera House this 
evening, and among your guests will be some 
ladies. C. S." The instrument rested for a few 
moments and I said: "Mr. Sumner, I am sure 
we would be happy to have all who can come 
as our guests this evening and with them we 
will attend the entertainment at the Opera 
House.' ' As soon as I ceased speaking the in- 
strument resumed and said: "Thank you, we 
will be here immediately after supper; good after- 
noon. C. S." We said good afternoon to all. 
Soon thereafter Dallas and Kramer left the 
office on promise to return again after supper. 
We met at my office at 6:45 p. m. We got 
our suppers on this evening as early as possible 
so as to be prepared to meet our expected 
guests. At this time after meeting we were dis- 
cussing the question of securing seats at the 
Opera House for the evening. It was so late 
we were afraid we would not be able to get 
good seats and Mr. Dallas made the remark, 
"That if we failed to get seats in the parquet 
we could perhaps fare well in the balcony. " 
The diagram of seats for the entertainment was 
at Brennan and Davis' store several blocks from 
my office. I was about to start for Brennan 
and Davis' for the purpose of inspecting the dia- 
gram and securing seats when the telegraph 
instrument began to tick and we received the 
following message: "Hello, boys, you see I am 
on hand. I was up to Brennan and Davis' store 
looking over the board. I am sorry to say that 



death; the meaning and result. 209 

I do not see any unsold seats that would suit 
us in the parquet. Dr. Shoemaker says it will 
be just as well for you to go in the balcony, as 
otherwise you would not have Mr. Kramer with 
you and we want you all together. Plum 
Mitchell, opr." I said: "All right, Plum, I will 
go up to Brennan and Davis' and procure three 
seats together in the balcony." 

I immediately repaired to Brennan and Davis' 
and inspected the board or diagram of seats 
and found that all the seats except a few scatter- 
ing ones had been sold and I procured three 
seats in the balcony and returned to the office. 
As soon as I stepped into the office the instru- 
ment began to tick and gave us the following: 
"Those seats you procured in the balcony are all 
right. I was with you when you bought the 
seats, or rather the tickets. P. M., opr." I said: 
"All right, Plum. How soon will our guests for 
the Opera be here?" Immediately we received 
the following: "In time for the show. I will 
let you know when they come. P. M., opr." 
Dallas, Kramer and myself waited, and at 7:30 
the instrument ticked off the following: "Here 
comes your mother, John, and Mrs. Kramer; 
also Dr. Shoemaker, Dr. Eddy and your brother 
and nephew, William and George Wilson. P. M., 
opr." 

I said: "Good evening, mother, good evening, 
to all. Glad to have you all here, and hope 
you will all accompany us to the show." Immedi- 
ately we got the following message: "Good 



210 death; the maning and result. 

evening to all. We anticipate enjoyment at the 
entertainment. All of your spirit friends will 
accompany you to the Opera House except me, 
and I will join you there before the entertain- 
ment closes. John, with your permission, I will, 
during your absence this evening, use your office 
and this instrument. I have invited some of our 
spirit workers to attend a meeting here this 
evening, beginning at 8:20. Charles Sumner." 
I said: " Certainly, Mr. Sumner, you are wel- 
come to the use of my office at any time and I 
wish you at all times when here to make your- 
self at home in all respects." Immediately we 
got the following: "Thank you." Nothing was 
said for a few minutes and then we got the fol- 
lowing: "We are ready any time you are. P. 
M., opr." I said: "Very well." 

We put on our overcoats and started for the 
Opera House. When we passed down the stairs 
in the block and along the hallway to the exit 
on the street, loud raps were heard in our rear, 
in front of us, and, in fact, all around us. We 
arrived at the Opera House passed in and took 
our seats. During the entertainment when a 
good thing was said or clever acting done, by 
the members of the troupe, we could hear our 
spirit friends applauding by loud raps. That 
occurred quite often and was evidence to us that 
they were being entertained and enjoyed the 
preformance. When the show came to a close 
we returned to the office at about 10:30 p. nu 

We took seats and soon received the following 



death; the meaning and result. 211 

message: "We all enjoyed the show very much, 
the ladies more especially. They all thank you 
and hope 3^011 also enjoyed it. Was not that a 
most funny little creature? Plum Mitchell." In 
explanation of the last sentence there was 
among the performers at the show a very little 
man, in fact, a Lilliputian of the small type and 
he was funny. I said in response to the message: 
"I am glad you all enjoyed the entertainment 
and hope all spirit friends will join us on such 
occasions.' ' In a few- moments we received the 
following message: "Mr. Sumner wishes to say 
that he, along with the rest of the band, enjoyed 
the play very much. And he also wishes me to 
thank you for the use of your office. He was- 
not able to get over to the Opera House until 
9:30 but he enjoyed the part of the play which 
he witnessed. They had quite a meeting here 
while you were at the Opera House. P. M." 

The instrument came to a rest. Some little 
time elapsed before much was said by either 
Dallas, Kramer or myself. I finally said: "I 
wonder if our spirit friends have left us without 
bidding us good night; that has never happened 
before." We waited a little longer, but little 
conversation occurred during the interim. I did 
not feel like talking. For some reason I felt 
strangely depressed. I thought to myself: "Why 
should I feel so strangely? I ought to be happ}^ 
and mirthful," but try as I would I could not 
throw off that feeling which had taken possession 
of me and I could not imagine the cause. After 



212 death; the meaning and result. 

waiting for a while longer I said: "Plum are 
you here?" No answer came. I said: "This is 
strange; this is something new. It never hap- 
pened before that our spirit friends left us so 
unceremoniously without even saying good bye." 
I felt perturbed. Soon thereafter the instrument 
began to tick but I could not see the key move 
and I concluded that the message must be com- 
ing over the outside invisible wire. Another 
thing I observed, as did Mr. Dallas, that the 
operating was different from the very familiar 
operating by the unseen entities we had before 
heard and become accustomed to but we got the 
message which is as followes: "Private. This 
is to you, Len. I enjo3 r ed the show immensely. 
I hope you and I can go to many more in the 
future. Everything will be all right. Don't show 
this to J. K. Wilson. Minnie.' ' 

I had not succeeded in making out the message 
as it came, some of it, however, I had, and 
either by intuition, psychological impress or some 
other means which I cannot explain, I knew 
something out of the ordinary had happened. 
I was certain something had gone wrong, but 
what? that was the question. As Mr. Dallas 
finished writing the message he handed it to Mr. 
Kramer. He took it, stepped aside and silently 
scanned it over. I watched him, for a moment 
his countenance lit up with a joyful expression 
and then was followed by an expression of 
doubt, bordering on alarm. He passed me the 
strange message, without saying a word, and I 



death; the meaning and result. 213 

read it. I then said: "I am afraid something 
has happened to our friends. I can't tell why, 
but I feel that way. This message bears me 
out in my apprehension. It is a strange mes- 
sage and I am certain sent bv a strange o-pera- 
tor." Mr. Kramer was the first to speak in re- 
sponse to what I had said and remarked: 
"Things do not look right. Why should my 
wife send me a message like that after being 
here this evening. I can't understand it." When 
Mr. Dallas said: "Well, I know there is trouble 
somewhere but I can't tell what it is. I know 
that the operator who sent the message is a 
strange operator to me. It was no person who 
ever sent a message which I received before." I 
then spoke and said: "Plum, are you here?" 
No Answer. "Are any of our spirit friends here?" 
The telegraph instrument maintained absolute 
silence. We waited until midnight in hopes of 
being enlightened as to what had happened but 
our spirit friends, and all spirit entities for that 
matter, were as silent as the Sphinx. The in- 
strument was dumb to our questions and finally 
Dallas and Kramer took their departure, all 
wondering, but profoundly ignorant of what 



was wrong. 



CHAPTER XII. 

Mystery — Suspicion Aroused — A Forged Telegram — 
Deception Detected — Warned By Spirit Friends — 
Another Forged Spirit Telegram— Detected— Spirit 
Friends Betrayed — A Judas in Camp — Again Warned — 
Wilson Meets Spirit Judge James B. Knox — More 
Spirit Warfare— A Visit by Pope Leo II — A Visit by 
Cardinal Manning — Informed Who Betrayed Spirit 
Friends — Another Victory — Telegrams From Spirit 
Friends — Ultimatum for Kramer. 

January 11, 1894, 9 o'clock p. m., Dallas, 
Kramer and myself met at my office. Soon after 
our meeting we began to discuss the strange pro- 
ceedings of last evening. We were all of the opin- 
ion that something out of the usual had happened 
but what it was we were unable to divine. We 
waited until one hour had elapsed for some in- 
telligence from our spirit friends which would 
explain the mystery. No rap greeted our ears 
and the telegraph instrument, heretofore so 
ready to tick a message, maintained absolute 
silence. I had often asked the question: "Are any 
of our spirit friends here?" But no answer came. 



death; the meaning and result. 215 

We still waited and hoped against hope that 
we would be able to hear from our friends. All 
to no purpose, however, for two hours had 
passed since our meeting this evening. The long 
wait and entire absence of any indication of the 
presence of our spirit friends convinced us more 
than ever that something was wrong. But 
what could it be? That was the unsolved mys- 
tery. Finally Dallas and Kramer took their de- 
parture. 

January 12, 1894, Dallas, Kramer and myself 
met at the usual place. We had been seated but 
a few moments when the telegraph instrument 
began to click. At first I was pleased for I 
thought that our suspense was to lose its ten- 
sion and the mystery would be solved. As the 
instrument continued its work I observe that it 
was being operated differently than on previous 
occasions. The tone was different and in many 
other respects it was apparent to me that it 
was being worked by a different spirit operator 
than I had before heard. However, I said noth- 
ing. Mr. Dallas was receiving the message and 
writing it as received. After he finished the 
writing he passed the message over to me. I 
had noticed that Mr. Dallas while receiving the 
message exhibited an unusual degree of nervous- 
ness. I glanced over the message and saw that 
the phraseology was different than messages 
which had been received from our friends, and 
instead of explaining anything, or speaking of 
the mystery which we expected our friends 



216 death; the meaning and result. 

would solve for us at their earliest opportunity, 
it made things more complex. The message 
thus received is as follows: "January 12, 1894. 
Good evening, gentlemen, I have been waiting 
here for some time. I knew the operator would 
put in his appearance. Mr. Sumner, Dr. Shoe- 
maker, Dr. Eddy, Colonel Knox, and the Prof, are 
here for the evening, so you see we are in good 
company. Plum Mitchell, opr." 

The more I looked over the message the more 
I became convinced that it did not emanate from 
our friends and that the operator was not Plum 
Mitchell. In other words that it was a fabrica- 
tion and the operator some entity or spirit im- 
personating our friend Mitchell. Up to this time, 
after receiving the message, I had said nothing. 
The instrument had remained silent. I finally 
spoke, handing the message back to Dallas and 
said: "Dallas look that over carefully and tell 
me what you think about it." Dallas took it 
looked it over and said: "Well, it is strange. I 
hardly know what to think about it.'- I said: 
"Do you think that Plum Mitchell did the 
operating?" He promptly replied: "I am 
certain that it was not Plum who did the 
operating." I then said: "Well, that confirms 
my idea. I am now certain that message 
was not sent by a spirit friend of ours and that 
the operator who signs himself Plum Mitchell 
is quite another person or spirit." 

During the time we had been examining the 
message and discussing its contents, the instru- 



death; the meaning and result. 217 

ment remained silent. I then said, addressing 
the unseen operator: "Now, Mr. Operator, am 
I right in my conclusion in this matter ?" No 
answer came. Again and again I tried to get a 
response from the unseen entity, but none was 
given or explanation offered. Dallas, Kramer 
and myself discussed the question concerning the 
telegram and the mystery preceding it for some 
time and we all came to the conclusion that 
something had happened to our spirit friends 
and that their place here had been usurped by 
other spirits who sought to mislead us by im- 
personating our friends. Dallas and Kramer 
were about to leave the office, when we heard 
raps which we immediately recognized as being 
produced by Dr. Shoemaker. In a hurried way 
by rapping telegraphy he gave us the following: 
"I -wish to warn you. Our enemies have broken 
through our lines and tried to intercept us. Be 
very careful how you act and be sure it is us 
you are in communication with before you give 
credence to any information you may receive. 
This is a serious break and may take some time 
to repair, perhaps some months; but have cour- 
age. The enemy were in here this evening. I 
watched my opportunity and when they left I 
came in. Good night. Dr. Shoemaker. " 

At last the myster}^ was explained. Something 
was indeed wrong as we had anticipated. Our 
friends have been routed and their places taken 
by spirits adverse to them and to us. We had 
been right in our conclusion. We are all glad 



218 death; the meaning and result. 

to receive the explanation, but verj r sorry the 
way things were shaped. We now know what 
has happened, but the cause or how it was 
brought about we are yet entirely ignorant of. 

January 13, 1894, 9 o'clock p. m., Dallas, 
Kramer and myself met at my office. The tele- 
graph instrument had been left in its usual pos- 
ition and connected with the battery. We took 
seats made ourselves easy and awaited results. 
We had been warned and were on the alert. 
Soon the instrument began to rattle. It was 
being manipulated by some spirit operator who 
was giving us a message. Again I detected a 
difference in the operating from that produced 
by our spirit friends and a great resemblance 
to the operating at our last meeting. Mr. 
Dallas was receiving and writing down 
the message. After he had received he handed 
it to me and is as follows: "January 13, 1894. 
How are you all. We are glad to see you once 
more in the sacred chamber. Dr. Shoemaker, 
opr." After carefully looking over the message 
I was more certain than before that Dr. Shoe- 
maker was not the operator and that the mes- 
sage did not emanate from him as purported. 
Not only the peculiar operating but the phrase- 
ology proved clearly to my mind that my sus- 
picions were well founded. I handed the mes- 
sage back to Dallas who had maintained silence 
while I was examining it and said: "Mr. Dal- 
las what do you think about that message?" 
He replied: "I am certain that Dr. Shoemaker 



death; the meaning and result. 219 

did not send this message, and I am quite cer- 
tain that the operator who sent it, or did the 
operating, is the same person or spirit who did 
the operating last evening." I said that he had 
expressed my conviction exactly. I then said: 
"Now I will say to this spirit operator and 
those whom he represents that I consider it a 
contemptible imposition for him or them to in- 
trude themselves in this office and in this way 
try to mislead, and I cared not "who they were 
or from whence they came, I desired them to 
distinctly understand that their room was much 
preferable to their company and to depart with- 
out delay." Whatever it was, or whoever it 
might have been, they must have taken me at 
my word for after waiting for some time for a 
reply we got none and silence reigned supreme. 

After this we began to discuss what had 
transpired. While thus talking we heard raps 
on the table. That were not loud, but distinct, 
and what is better they were familiar raps and 
we all recognized them as being produced by 
spirit Plum Mitchell and by rapping telegraphy 
he gave us the following message: "The enemy 
just stepped out and I watched my opportunity 
to come in. We all know that you feel anxious 
about your spirit friends. We were betrayed to 
the enemy by one of our number on January 10, 
about 11 p. m. It was very unexpected to us 
and we were taken by surprise. Mr. Sumner 
and Dr. Shoemaker were hurt but only slightly. 
I must not stay longer I may be discovered by 



220 death; the meaning and result. 

the enemy. Goodnight. Plum Mitchell." We all 
thanked Plum for this message. 

We waited some minutes and again heard 
raps near where I was seated. They too were 
familiar raps and were easily recognized as be- 
ing produced by Mr. Sumner. He began by rap- 
ping telegraphy and gave us the following mes- 
sage: "Good evening, gentlemen. Dr. Shoemaker 
has already informed you of the break in our 
work. It is somewhat serious though we may 
be able to repair it soon. We are not in the 
position we were two weeks ago. We have 
gone back although it is hard to believe. Please 
disconnect the instrument from the battery and 
be on the alert for our enemies will try in every 
way they can to mislead you by impersonating 
your friends. Some of your friends will report 
to you as often as opportunity permits. I can- 
not stay longer, good night. Charles Sumner." 
We all thanked Mr. Sumner and said to him: 
"Good night. " After waiting some time and get- 
ting nothing further we again discussed the 
strange proceedings and wondered who the Judas 
was who betrayed our friends into the hands of 
their enemies. On that question none of tis could 
give even a semblance of a guess. Waiving the 
person or the name of the person or spirit, 
what could have been the motive for the betray- 
al resulting in such a calamity. We did not 
know nor even imagine, and we have to rely en- 
tirely on the future for light along these lines. 
I disconnected the telegraph instrument from 
the battery as Mr. Sumner had instructed. 



death; the meaning and result. 221 

January 17, 1894. During the interim from 
the date of the last meeting Dallas, Kramer and 
myself had met every evening at my office but 
saw or heard nothing of our spirit friends or 
their adversaries. On this particular evening 
Mr. Kramer came to my office about 8:30 p. m. 
Soon after he arrived we entered into conversa- 
tion on the general topics of the day. Nothing had 
been said about our spirit friends or on the sub- 
ject of spirit return. I have a zither in my office 
to which I have referred, and when our conver- 
sation began to lag a little I picked up the zither 
and made an effort to hum a tune and play an 
accompaniment. After being engaged for a few 
minutes I looked up, and there, at the end of 
the office table, with one hand resting thereon, 
and about seven feet from where I sat stood 
Judge James B. Knox. I cannot say that I was 
frightened but there came over me a sort of 
creeping sensation. Jtidge Knox was looking 
me square in the face and in appearance was 
the exact counterpart as I remember him in 
earth life; same style of dress and personal 
characteristics to all appearance as when I knew 
him as lawyer and advocate some years ago in 
Clarion County, Pa. I knew him well in earth 
life in 1878 and 1879. I had not thought of 
Judge Knox for years until his name was men- 
tioned as noticed in a former record. 

When I thus observed the Judge I stopped 
trying to play the music but said nothing. I 
expected every second that he would speak to 



222 death: the meaning and result. 



me. I finally spoke intending to address him 
and did pronounce "Judge," but before I could 
proceed further he vanished from my view. He 
went as suddenly as he came and as noiseless. 
I wondered what he wanted and why he did 
not speak; that, however, I may never know. 

January 25, 1894, 9 p. m., Dallas, Kramer 
and myself met at the usual place. We had met, 
however, each evening since receiving that last 
message from our friends in order to give them 
an opportunity, if they so desired, to communi- 
cate. On this particular evening a few minutes 
after our meeting we heard raps on the office 
table. We recognized them as being produced 
by Plum Mitchell and by rapping telegraphy he 
gave us the following message: "Have had sev- 
eral engagements with the enern^v. We are slowly 
but surely regaining our former position, good 
night. Plum Mitchell." After receiving this mes- 
sage and waiting for some time for others but 
hearing nothing we separated. 

January 26, 1894, Dallas, Kramer and myself 
met at the office at 9 p. m. After being seated 
for a few moments we heard raps upon the 
office table. We all noticed the fact that they 
were unlike any raps produced by our spirit 
friends. I finally said: "Are these raps produced 
by a friend of ours?" Answer, by raps, "No." 
Question — "Can you telegraph to us by raps?" 
Answer — "Yes." "Well, who are you and what 
to you want?" "We are Pope Leo II and Card- 
inal Manning. We would like to advise you 



death; the meaning and result. 223 

and do you good." I then said: "Pope Leo 
and Cardinal Manning, we do not know that 
you are really whom you represent yourselves. 
to be and have no way of finding out that I 
know of. If we were sure that you are whom 
you say you are, you are strangers to us and 
we to you. We have spirit friends whom we 
know and can trust. We wish to hold communi- 
cations with no spirits at present at least except 
with them." To which they replied by rapping 
telegraphy, "All right, good night. C. M.> 
P. L. II." 

January 27, 1894. Mr. Dallas called at my 
office at 9 p. m. Mr. Kramer was not present. 
Some few minutes after Mr. Dallas called we 
engaged in a discussion on the subject of the be- 
trayal of our spirit friends. I said: "I donotliketo 
name an}^ particular spirit for fear of doing 
an injustice. I have, however, had the name of 
a particular spirit in my mind more or less all 
day as the guilty one. But it is one that I can 
not think would do such a thing. I have caught 
myself several times through the day repeating 
to myself, as the spirit name would come to me, 
'impossible, that cannot be the guilty spirit' 
but all I can do toward banishing that name 
from my mind seems to be futile. It has the 
presistency of 'Banquo's Ghost,' it will not 
down." Mr. Dallas replied: "John, I have had 
the same experience exactly but I do not think 
the spirit I have thought about in connection^ 
with the betrayal could or would do such a 



224 death; the meaning and result, 



thing.' ' I then said: "Well, Dallas, I will men- 
tion no name to you as the guilty one. I do 
not care to have you mention any name to me 
as the guilty one but we will undoubtedly find 
out who it is as soon as our friends get the 
opportunity and care to advise us, so let me 
make a proposition to you. I will now write 
the name of the spirit whom I think betrayed 
our friends; you shall not see it or know what 
is written. I will put the slip in my vest pocket. 
You write the name which you have in your 
mind as the guilty one on a slip of paper and 
put it in your pocket, which name shall be un- 
known to me and when we are informed who 
the guilty party really is we will compare the 
the names written by us and see if either of us 
are right." To that proposition Mr. Dallas as- 
sented, we procured slips of paper, each wrote 
a name thereon unknown to the other and de- 
posited the slips respectively in our vest pockets. 
January 28, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my 
office at 9 p. m. Mr. Kramer was not present 
at this meeting. We were soon discussing the 
mystery which was in our minds. In about 
one-half hour after we met we heard a familiar 
rap on the table which developed into a succes- 
sion of raps. They were the well known rap- 
pings of Charles Sumner. We had heard them 
so often before that we were able to identify 
them as readily and with as much certainty as 
we could identify any friend of ours by his voice. 
Mr. Sumner proceeded and by rapping telegra- 



death; the meaning and result. 225 

phy he gave us the following message: "Good 
evening, gentleman, I am glad to be with you 
at this time. We are progressing to our satis- 
faction in repairing the break, and hope soon to 
be able to again communicate w r ith you by the 
telegraph instrument without being interrupted 
by our enemies. You are both right in your 
impressions about the break and in relation to 
the individual who betrayed our cause. We 
gave you the impression and you are both cor- 
rect. You may produce your slips of paper on 
which you have written a name each and you 
will find that you agree as to the individual 
who betrayed us. Charles Sumner." 

I was indeed astonished when I read the mes- 
sage. How could Air. Sumner, though a spirit, 
know we had slips in our pockets on which a 
name w^as written for no doubt he referred to 
the slips of paper Air. Dallas and I had prepar- 
ed the previous evening. I immediately took 
the slip out of my pocket and laid it on the 
table. Air. Dallas did likewise. We found each 
had written the same name on his respective 
slip. I was very sorry to know that the indi- 
vidual spirit whose name was written was 
really the one who had so wantonly betrayed 
our spirit friends into the hands of their enemies. 
I am pained to be compelled to write the name 
in this record, but a complete record requires all 
this to be truthfully recorded, nothing added, 
nothing omitted. After we had compared the 
slips and laid them side by side on the table the 



226 death; the meaning and result. 

rapping resumed and gave us the following 
message: "The name written on these slips is 
the name of the individual spirit who betrayed 
our cause. Good night. C. S." 

The name so written and who, as we have 
been told, is the Judas, is Mrs. Minnie Kramer T 
who, when in earth life, was the wife of J. L. 
Kramer our co-investigator. I was glad Mr. 
Kramer happened to be absent this evening. I 
know that such news would fall heavily 
on his sensitive nature. It was some time after 
this before Mr. Dallas or myself spoke. I felt 
sad. Mrs. Minnie Kramer had been an attend- 
ant in company with our spirit friends at almost 
every meeting since these demonstrations began. 
She had been at many of our banquets. She 
had supped with us and dined with us so to 
speak. We had showed her that defference and 
extended to her as a spirit that courtesy due a 
lady and a welcome guest. Notwithstanding all 
that, what has she done? Well, from my view 
judging from an earthly standard it is perfidy 
and ingratitude to say the least, but perhaps 
there may be attenuating circumstances unknown 
to me which lessen the enormity of the crime/ I 
hope there are. And then again maybe I have 
no right to judge in the premises, she being ele- 
vated to spirit and I still a mortal. I am wil- 
ling to let the matter rest and she be judged by 
her peers in the court of the spirit realms. 

Finally Mr. Dallas spoke and broke the silence. 
He said: "John is it not terrible? how could 



death; the meaning and result. 227 

Mrs Kramer do such a thing." I said: "Dallas, 
it is too awful to think about. It is done, it 
seems, and what has been done can't be undone, 
so we must accept the situation as we find it." 
I w r as at this time wondering in what manner 
Mr. Kramer could be apprised of this fact, or 
whether it w-ould not be better to keep him in 
ignorance concerning the awful truth; that may 
be the best way, for it seems to me if ever ig- 
norance is bliss it has its full force and applica- 
tion in this case. Mr. Dallas and myself, to be 
sure, are wiser on one point at least than when 
we met earlier in the evening, but I can say for 
myself that such wisdom makes me sad. 

January 31, 1894, Mr. Dallas, Kramer and 
myself met at 9 p. m. Soon after w T e met we 
heard familiar raps, and by rapping telegraphy 
w^e got the following message: "Good evening. 
Mr. Sumner desires me to say that your friends 
have succeeded in closing the break in their lines. 
It has been a sharp contest but a decided one 
with victory again on the side of light and 
truth. We will soon have our telegraph line re- 
paired so we will be able to communicate with 
you direct. It w^ill take three or four days to 
get in complete readiness, so for that time 3^011 
will hear very little, if anything, from us. Good 
night. Plum Mitchell, opr." 

February 4, 1894, Dallas, Kramer and myself 
met at my office at 9 p. m. Soon thereafter we 
heard raps, readily recognized by us, on the 
table and by rapping telegraphy w r e received the 



228 death; the meaning and result. 

following: "Hello, boys: I am here all in good 
shape and ready for business. Please connect 
the telegraph instrument with the battery and 
I will connect our wire with the instrument and 
you will receive a message. Plum Mitchell." 
We all said: "Good evening, Plum." We imme- 
diately connected the instrument with the bat- 
tery. Soon a call was sounded over the instru- 
ment, and a response to the call and then we 
received the following message: "February 4, 
1894. Spirit headquarters. To J. K. Wilson 
and E. M. Dallas: We are glad to be able to 
say to you that we have won and are now able 
to use all of our force and power. Charles Sum- 
ner, Dr. W. P. Shoemaker." The instrument 
rested for a few moments then w^e received the 
following: "We will let you know when to 
meet us this week. Nothing further tonight. C. 
S." And then the following: "That is enough 
good news for tonight. Dr. W. P. S." In a few 
minutes thereafter I said: ,"Plum are you here 
yet? And immediately we got the following: 
"Yes, Dr. Eddy is here also. Mr. Sumner says 
we must not speak much to you tonight as our 
forces have to multiply for more important work. 
Good night. Plum Mitchell." 

Note. The initial C. S. signed to the first 
message I think are intended for Charles Sumner 
and the W. P. S. to the second message are the 
initials of W. P. Shoemaker, spirit entities who 
have figured so largely in these demonstrations. 
We have instructions here from spirit Plum 



death; the meaning and result. 229 

Mitchell which implies that our spirit friends 
have what they call a wire, though invisible to 
us mortals, running from this instrument to the 
outside, and by the heading of the message, 
4 'Spirit headquarters," I infer that the message 
was sent from there over this invisible wire to 
this office. Where the place is they call ' 'Spirit 
headquarters," I am not able to state. 

February 5, 1894, Mr. Dallas called at my 
office at 7:20 p. m. The telegraph instrument 
had remained connected with the battery. Soon 
after his arrival the instrument ticked off the 
following message: "We had a battle on Friday 
night and 42,631 of the enemy were disabled 
and 6 of our force were hurt. It was the most 
telling battle of all we have fought. I wish to 
meet you, Mr. Dallas and Mr. Wilson, here to- 
morrow evening at 8 p. in. We have something 
we wish to say to you alone. Good night. 
Charles Sumner." 

Note Here we have a message signed Charles 
Sumner again telling us of warfare in the spirit 
world. I have no doubt of the identit}^ of 
Charles Sumner in this instance or on former 
occasions, whom the American people knew so 
well in earth life and who, as successor to Dan- 
iel Webster in the United States Senate, did so 
much in shaping the affairs of this county. He 
was, while in earth life, distinguished for probity 
of character and honesty of purpose aud it is 
only fair to presume that in spirit life he still 
retained those qualities; but who among mortals 



230 death; the meaning and result. 

ever supposed that a state of war could be pos- 
sible in the spirit world. 

February 6, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my 
office at 8 p. m. We had been requested by 
Mr. Sumner to meet here at this hour. Mr. Kra- 
mer was not present. The telegraph instrument 
had remained connected with the battery as on 
former occasions. In a few minutes after we 
met, the instrument began to tick. Mr. Dallas 
had provided himself with paper and pencil and 
we received the following message: "February 
6, 1894. To J. K. Wilson and E. M. Dallas: I 
feel happy in saying to you tonight that all is 
in readiness for us to commence the opening 
moves in this grand work, which is to us and 
to you hereafter to occupy our entire lives. I 
have a great many things to say to you and I 
hope you both will follow closely what I have 
to say tonight. Charles Sumner." After receiv- 
ing this message I said: "All right, Mr. Sumner, 
we will observe closely what you say." The 
instrument again began to tick and gave us the 
following message: "Now in the first place I wish 
to mention that Mr. Kramer will not be requir- 
ed in the work we have set forth for you to do, 
and I will leave it to your own judgment, 
John, how to break the news to him. I am 
sorry it should be thus, but what is has to be, 
and after looking carefully over the situation 
we find it most necessary for us to give the 
above verdict. C. S." 

I carefully read this message. It contained a 



death; the meaning and result. 231 



surprise for me and for Mr. Dallas also. By 
what our spirit friends had said in former mes- 
sages it was plain to us that they contemplated a 
life's devotion by Dallas, Kramer and myself, to 
teaching, spreading and propagating, the phe- 
nomena and philosoplry of spirit return to this 
earth planet from spirit realms, on something of 
a scientific basis, by the assistance of our spirit 
friends. While we had not expressly agreed to 
conform to their implication, we had, by our 
comparative silence on the subject, tacitly agreed 
to do so. I am, futhermore, certain that our 
spirit friends had construed our silence, and ab- 
sence of objections on the point suggested to 
that end as practically conforming to their 
wish. In fact, all of us had, to some extent, 
prepared to be led by our spirit friends in the 
direction so often mentioned. Mr. Kramer was 
exceptionally enthusiastic in this matter, and 
now by the wording of this message it is an in- 
novation to say the least. Mr. Kramer is to be 
dropped and the work is to be carried on by 
Dallas and myself. I felt disappointed. I knew 
that it would be a great surprise to Mr. Kra- 
mer and that he would be sadly disappointed. 
His anticipation of being an instrument, to some 
extent at least, in substituting the true spiritual 
light for error and superstition, and supplanting 
the uncertainty of mere faith by incontroverta- 
ble evidence of the immortality of the human 
family had to all appearances so elated him, 
that now to be turned from that possibility I 
knew would be a sad blow to him. 



232 death; the meaning and result. 



I again re-read the message carefully and saw 
that dispensing with Mr. Kramer's services in 
the contemplated work was couched in such 
terms that it amounted really to an ultimatum 
and for that reason I did not, as' I first intended 
plead for Mr. Kramer's retention. I said noth- 
ing but passed the message back to Dallas and 
said: "Mr. Dallas, read it carefully and tell me 
what you think about it." He took the message, 
read it carefully and said: "John that is a sur- 
prise to me. I know Mr. Kramer will take it 
very much to heart, but it is put in such a way 
that I see no other way than to accept the new 
order of things." I agreed to his conclusions 
and we ceased discussing it for the time being. 
Soon thereafter we received the following mes- 
sage: "Our progress will not be so rapid as it 
has been heretofore but we know with whom 
we are working and time will be no object as 
long as we know that our work will be accom- 
plished in the end by you two alone. All that 
we have promised will be fulfilled. All we ask 
is your entire attention and service. C. S." 

A vshort rest and them the following message: 
"Further directions will be given you at a future 
date. At present that is all we have to say to 
you, but will be glad to answer any questions 
you care to ask. C. S., Dr. W. P. S., Dr. Eddy, 
Prof. F. R. S." After receiving this message I 
said: "Well, gentlemen, I am glad you are here 
and able to communicate with us so freely. I 
wish to ask you if it is not possible to permit 



death; the meaning and result. 233 

Mr. Kramer to remain in the work?" Imme- 
diately the answer was ticked off as follows: 
"No, John, it is impossible to retain Mr. Kra- 
mer. We are very sorrow to be obliged to come 
to this conclusion but it is inevitable. C. S., 
Dr. W. P. S., Dr. Eddy, Prof. F. R. S." I then 
said: "Well, gentlemen, I am very sorry also 
but you know what is best. We will be content 
with your decision." Soon the instrument tick- 
ed off the following: "Well, gentlemen, we will 
say good night, but will come again soon. C. S." 
We said: "Good night" and the instrument was 
at rest; our friends had departed. 

Note. I did not ask our spirit friends during 
this meeting why Mr. Kramer was barred from 
further participation in this work. They volun- 
teered no reason and I did not interrogate them 
concerning it, but following so soon after the 
betrayal by Mrs. Kramer, Mr. Kramer's spirit 
wife, I am of the opinion that move on the 
part of Mrs. Kramer had something to do with 
the new order of things; that, however, is only 
speculative. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Spirits Shoemaker and Eddy Present — Give Telegrams 
—Spirit Plum Mitchell Present— Joke by Spirit Eddy 
— Spirit Shoemaker Speaks — Loss of ExpendedEorce by 
Break — Kramer's Suspicions — Informed Who Betrayed 
Our Eriends — Barred From Euture Proceedings — Its 
Effect— Meeting of Dallas, Kramer and Wilson Planned 
by Spirits Shoemaker and Sumner — What W T as Said 
■ — Telegram From Spirit Sumner — Speaks of New 
Work— Spirits F. R. S., Shoemaker, Eddy, Mitchell, 
Wilson and A Stranger Entertained at Dinner — Tele- 
gram From Dr. Eddy — Going to Write a Book- 
New Spirit Operator— More Telegrams — Another 
Spirit Battle— Wonderful Message by Spirits F. R. S., 
Sumner and Shoemaker — A Proposition — More Tele- 
grams — Answer to Proposition — Spirit Mitchell Cap- 
tured. 

February 9, 1894, Dallas met me at my office 
at 8 p. m. Mr. Kramer was not present. I had 
said nothing to Mr. Kramer about his services 
being dispensed with. I have been and am now 
cogitating how best to approach him on the 
subject. As yet I have no definite plan but 
hope some way will be suggested whereby it 
will be made easy for me to break the news of 



death; the meaning and result. 235 

the betrayal of our friends by his wife and its 
consequences. Time will tell and I shall wait 
and w r atch for the opportunity. 

Soon after Mr. Dallas came to the office the 
instrument began to tick and gave us the fol- 
lowing message: "Good evening, gentlemen. Dr. 
Shoemaker has worked so hard of late that it 
will not be possible for him to operate much 
tonight. He tells me to say that Mr. Sumner is 
very much pleased with the way you have car- 
ried out his wishes. Mr. S. cannot be here 
tonight as he was called away just as he w r as 
coming here. Plum has worked so hard that he 
will not be able to operate tonight. He came 
here thinking he could do so; you know how 
willing he is to be right in this work. W. P. 
Shoemaker, W. D. Eddy, opr." After receiving 
this message I said: "Good evening, gentlemen. 
I am very glad you are here with us again. " 
Immediately the instrument ticked off this mes- 
sage: "John, do not leave the good things till 
the last. I should think after receiving that 
message you would offer me something more 
than water. W. D. E." Before we received the 
first message Mr. Dallas had taken a drink of 
water and after drinking had set the glass, with 
some water in it, on the table close to the key. 
Undoubtedly spirit Eddy referred to the glass of 
water on the table, and for aught I know sup- 
posed it had been placed there for his benefit. 
After reading the last message, Mr. Dallas and I 
laughed at the sally and I said: "Doctor, we 



236 death; the meaning and result. 

did not intend to put you on a water diet, and 
to show you that it is impractical to preach 
what you don't practice I w-ill change the liquid/' 
and suiting the action to the word I stepped to 
the side-board took a bottle of wine, emptied 
the water out of the glass and replaced it with 
wine. As soon as this was done the instrument 
ticked off the following: "Thank you, John, 
what I said first was intended for a joke, but 
what you have done is evidence that jokes 
sometimes are vineyards out of which wine is 
produced. We appreciate your hospitality. W. D. 
Eddy." Mr. Dallas and I again laughed after 
receiving the last message at the very clever 
way the Doctor received the wine. More espec- 
ially was his remark applicable from the fact 
that the wine was sweet catawba a product of 
the vineyard. 

Soon the instrument was ticking and we re- 
ceived the following: "There is no news of any 
importance for you tonight. Everything is pro- 
gressing satisfactorily with us. We find the work 
hard and up-hill at present but we will soon be 
able to regain our power in all directions. That 
unfortunate break made by Airs. Kramer has 
given us more trouble than we at first anticipat- 
ed. It has cost us more expended force than 
we otherwise would have used in years of work, 
and we are thankful to you for undaunted sup- 
port through it all. W. P. Shoemaker, W. D. E., 
opr." In a few moments we got the following: 
"We will all go now but will come again soon. 



death; the meaning and result. 237 

Perhaps some of your spirit friends will dine 
with you next Sunday. W. D. E., opr." After 
receiving this message I said: "All right, gen- 
tleman, we will be pleased to have as many as can 
do so dine with us Sunday. All of you will please 
remember that you have a standing invitation 
on these occasions/ y The instrument said: "Yes, 
we know we have, and thank you very much. 
Good night. W. D. E. opr." 

Note. In the first message on this occasion 
the signature thereto, is, "W. P. Shoemaker, W. 
D. Eddy, opr." I have observed that when a 
message comes to us in this way if the spirit 
from whom the message emanates does not do 
the operating, the operator's name is signed to 
the message or sometimes the initials as well as 
the name of the spirit dictating the message, 
often using 'opr" as an abbreviation of operator. 

February 11, 1894, Mr. Dallas called at my 
office at 12:30 p. m. Before this meeting I had 
made up my mind that I must inform Mr. 
Kramer of the change and the sooner it was 
done the better. I realized that it would relieve 
my mind of a very unpleasant task. I had ob- 
served, also, that intuitively or in some way 
at least, Mr. Kramer's suspicions had been 
aroused relating to his connection with the 
work, and that something had happened of 
which he had not been informed by us. He did 
not so express himself, but by his deportment I 
observed that something out of the ordinary 
was troubling him. Yesterday morning I con- 



238 death; the mantng and result. 

eluded to inform Mr. Kramer of all that had 
transpired concerning his connection with the 
work. He called at my office at 10 a. m. After 
he came in I engaged him in conversation and 
finally invited him to take a stroll with me. 
He assented, and we passed out on the street. 
After strolling about for some time I engaged 
him in conversation concerning the break and 
to some extent its results. I finally said to him: 
"Have you thought or tried to guess who the 
individual spirit is who betrayed our friends?" 
He answered: "John, I have thought a good 
deal about it and I have strange forebodings. 
I seem to be impressed that it is a certain indiv- 
idual or spirit, but I cannot think it possible 
that my impressions are correct. John, can it 
be possible that my wife who is now a spirit 
can be the guilty one?" 

I must confess that I was somewhat surprised 
at his question. He had not been told*, 
concerning it by Dallas or myself. He always 
seemed to be devoted to his spirit wife and to 
have implicit confidence in her, and a feeling 
bordering on adoration, and here he had con- 
fessed to me that his thoughts had gone out to 
her as the spirit who had caused the recent 
trouble. At the same time I realized that a way 
had been opened whereby I could inform him of 
the fact with comparative ease. I embraced the 
opportunity thus presented and said: "Len, 
your impression as to the guilty one is correct." 
For some few minutes we walked on in silence. 



death; the meaning and result. 239 

He finally said: "Well, my fears are realized. 
It is hard to believe but it must be so. I can- 
not understand why she should do such a thing.' ' 
I then said: "Len, I have been delegated by 
Mr. Sumner to inform you of another matter, 
which is unpleasant for me, but I must do as 
instructed. Mr. Sumner has informed Mr. Dal- 
las and myself that owing to conditions of some 
sort your services will be no longer required in 
this work or in further proceedings. He also 
expressed himself, as did others of our friends,, 
that they were sorry that such should be the 
case but gave it as their verdict, 'after much 
deliberation,' and said that it was inevitable." 
We strolled on in silence some minutes then he 
said: "This is a great blow to me and a sore 
disappointment. I do not know what to say 
or do. I am sorry, very sorcy, things should 
take such a turn in relation to our or rather 
my prospects." By this time our stroll had 
brought us back near the block in which my 
office is located. Air. Kramer was silent. Fin- 
ally when we got opposite the block I said: 
"Len, won't you go up to the office with me?" 
He replied: "No, not at present. I will go to 
my room. I wish to be alone and think in sol- 
itude. This is bad news though not entirely 
unexpected." 

I saw nothing more of Mr. Kramer after this 
occurrence until he came to my office in company 
with Mr. Dallas on February 11. Soon after 
they stepped into the office we heard raps about. 



240 death; the meaning and result. 

the room. I recognized them as being produced 
by Dr. Shoemaker and Mr. Sumner. Immediate- 
ly I began to talk to Mr. Kramer and said to 
him that we were all sorry that things were so 
shaped but said: "Len, you have seen and heard 
many things which have proven to you that we 
are all immortal. That every human being lives 
after the so-called death. Death is now no hid- 
den mystery to you, but a change of conditions 
along lines of natural evolution. While it seems 
you are to be dropped from further partici- 
pation in this work you have learned what 
millions would give all their earthly possessions 
to know. And, moreover, you have been brought 
in contact with well disposed and intelligent 
spirits who no doubt will see to it that you 
are protected from baneful influences here and 
hereafter; so that viewing this matter in its 
worst light, while you may be impoverished in 
immediate prospects, you are rich in that knowl- 
edge which the world and all its people have so 
long labored to find out." 

As I finished the last sentence I realized that 
some of our spirit friends were present for I 
heard a succession of loud and distinct raps. I 
said many other things to Mr. Kramer along 
lines tending to induce him to take the new or- 
der of things in a philosophical way. What I 
said seemed to impress him, and I think served 
as a panacea to his troubled and perplexed 
mind. He appeared to reconcile his thoughts 
to the existing conditions and after a few min- 



death; the meaning and result. 241 

utes said: Well, I will say good morning but 
will drop in on you occasionally." He then took 
his departure. Soon after he was gone Mr. 
Dallas told me that he and Kramer were togeth- 
er in his room before coming to my office and 
that Mr. Sumner and Dr. Shoemaker, by 
rapping telegraphy said to Mr. Dallas: "We 
desire you to take Mr. Kramer up to Mr. Wil- 
son's office as soon as convenient today. Say 
nothing to Kramer what we desire; but we wish 
to have Mr. Wilson talk to him concerning this 
break. Do not tell Mr. Wilson that we so ad- 
vised until after the conversation. After Mr. 
Kramer and Mr. Wilson meet we will do the 
rest." From this message to Mr. Dallas I infer 
that the meeting .was planned by Mr. Sumner 
and Dr. Shoemaker and that they directed the 
conversation along the lines they desired. 

After Mr. Kramer excused himself the telegraph 
instrument ticked off the following message: 
"Good day, gentlemen. The work is proceeding 
favorabh r and in a few days I will have a great 
surprise for you in the shape of a new work 
which will occupy your attention for some 
months to come. I will give you full directions 
later. C. S." I said: "All right, Mr. Sumner." 
Soon thereafter the instrument ticked off the fol- 
lowing: "We are ready to join you at dinner at 
any time. Among the spirits present today are 
Prof. F. R. S., W. P. Shoemaker, W. D. Eddy, 
Plum Mitchell, William Wilson, Mr. Wilson and 
my French friend whom I shall introduce to you 



242 death; the meaning and result. 

in a few days. Charles Sumner." . In response 
to this telegram I said: "I am glad to meet 
you. We will be very glad to have you dine 
with us." We donned our overcoats, invited all 
to join us and we started for the hotel. We 
immediately went into the dining room and 
took our accustomed seats at the table. During 
the meal our spirit friends reminded us of their 
presence by continual rappings on and about 
the table at which we were seated. Dinner be- 
ing despatched, we returned to my office. Some 
time previous to this occurrence, and before this 
meeting, Mr. Sumner had told us that he had with 
him at my office a strange spirit who he advised 
us was French by birth with whom he formed 
an acquaintance during his travels abroad while 
in earth life. This was the spirit, I have no 
doubt, to whom Mr. Sumner refers in his mes- 
sage. Soon after Mr. Dallas and I had returned 
to the office the instrument ticked off the follow- 
ing message: " Allow me to thank you, gentle- 
men, in the name of our company for the excel- 
lent dinner you provided for us. Charles Sum- 
ner." I said: "I am sure you are all very wel- 
come." The instrument then said: "If you will 
excuse us we will go now." I said: "You are 
excused on condition that you come again soon." 
The instrument said in response: "We promise 
to come soon. Good afternoon. C. S." 

February 14, 1894, Mr. Dallas came to my 
office at 9 p. m. Soon after his arrival the tele- 
graph instrument began to tick and we received 
the following message: "Good evening, John,, 



death; the meaning and result. 243 

good evening, Mr. Dallas. Just dropped in and 
thought I would bid }^ou the time of the even- 
ing. W. D. Eddy." I said: "Good evening, old 
friend, am glad you are here. How are you any- 
way?" Immediately the following: "I am hap- 
py and all right. We are getting along with the 
work in good shape. Say, John, }^ou gentlemen 
are going to write a book by the aid of your 
spirit friends I am informed. W. D. E." In res- 
ponse I said: "Glad to know you are happy. I 
have heard nothing about the book you speak 
of." Immediately we got the following: "It is 
strange that you have not been told about the 
book you are to w r rite. It is freely talked of on 
our side and I supposed you knew about it. W. 
D. E." I said: "No, Doctor, I know^ nothing 
about the book." Immediately the following 
was ticked off: "Well, I must go. I did not 
come to stay long tonight. Goodbye. W. D. E." 

Note. It appears, if my spirit friend Dr. W. 
D. Eddy is correct in his information, that a 
book of some kind is to be written by us by the 
aid of our spirit friends. This is the first inti- 
mation that we have had that such a thing was 
in contemplation. 

February 15, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my 
office at 8:45 p.m. I was not expecting him this 
evening. During the day I had suffered with a 
nervous headache. I had been thinking over 
some of the wonderful phenomena I had witness- 
ed during the last few weeks, how strange they 
were and wondering where and how they would. 



244 death; the maning and result. 

end. I realized that I had been put in posses- 
sion of a great truth, and was deliberating how 
I should ever be able to effectually impart it to 
the world, knowing well how difficult it is, even 
by indubitable evidence, to overcome well in- 
trenched error and inherited superstition. I was 
perturbed and perplexed, for I well comprehend- 
ed the fact that the knowledge I had acquired 
imposed on me a duty and a responsibility of no 
contracted proportions. While I was thus cog- 
itating Mr. Dallas stepped into the office. He 
looked flushed in the face and had ever appear- 
ance of being in a hurry. I asked him what the 
trouble was. He replied: "I have made all ar- 
rangements to go sleighing this evening." I 
said: "Why don't you go?" He replied: "Some 
spirit came up to the store a few moments ago 
and bade me come down here as some of our 
friends had something to say." 

Immediately thereafter the instrument began 
to tick and gave us the following message: 
"Good evening, boys, I have been sent to make 
connections between our wire and the instrument. 
After that is clone you will get a message from 
headquarters and I think some spirits will be 
here also. Saj^, John, before I make the connec- 
tion I wish to say I have an old friend of yours 
here from our side of life; do you remember Good- 
win who passed over in Eclenburg? He is here. 
I could not keep him away any longer. He was 
here twice before but did not make himself 
known. Plum Mitchell." I thought for a few 



death; the meaning and result. 245 

minutes and replied: "No, Plum, I do not re- 
member Goodwin; It has been so long since I 
lived in Edenburg that I have forgotten many 
of its people." Immediately the following: "Well, 
it don't matter. I will now connect up. Plum 
Mitchell/' Soon the instrument began to tick 
and we heard what resembled a call sounded 
and a reply and then the following: "February 
15, 1894. We come here tonight to relieve 
you of that mental strain which we know you 
are carrying. We are getting along well in our 
work and hope soon to be able to report pro- 
gress to your satisfaction. Charles Sumner, P. 
M., opr." A few minutes after receiving this 
message the instrument ticked off the follow- 
ing: "Good evening, gentlemen. I am inform- 
ed by Dr. Edd\^ that he let the cat out of the 
bag. He is correct in his information regarding 
your future work. After much deliberation we 
have concluded that this is the best method for 
introducing you to the world and also of estab- 
lishing a reputation for you at the same time. 
The w^ork of collecting material for this book 
will commence almost immediately with us and 
we will be able to give it to you in about three 
weeks time. How it is to be transmitted to you 
is not worked out at present but you may rest 
assured that it will be given to you in such a 
manner that it will in no way injure its clear 
force and meaning and I can sav to vou with 
all confidence that when complete you will have 
accomplished a volume which will take its place 



246 death; the meaning and result. 

among the best in the world and will repay you 
for all your energy spent and time lost in con- 
nection with it. I expect the time required to 
complete this work will be four months. The 
work of developing you will not be neglected and 
I think by the time you have finished you will 
both be perfect instruments in our hands, able 
to convince the world of spirit communication 
and intercourse with the human race. Prof. F. 
R. S. opr." In reply I said: "We feel gratified 
to receive a message so interesting. I also feel 
grateful to you for jonr solicitation in regard 
to my mental strain. Since you came here to- 
night I feel relieved." Immediately the follow- 
ing was ticked off: "Dr. Shoemaker will be with 
you for a while, John, to fix you up but he will 
not rap or operate. Good night. F. R. S., opr." 

Note. In the messages received during this 
meeting the information given to us at our last 
meeting by Dr. Eddy is confirmed that we are 
to publish a book through the aid of our spirit 
friends. I hope they may accomplish their pur- 
pose. 

February IS, 1894, Mr. Dallas called at my 
office at 9 p. m. Soon the telegraph in- 
strument gave us the following: "Spirit Head- 
quarters, February 18, 1894. To J. K. Wilson 
and E. M. Dallas. Brothers and fellow workers 
of the true faith: we of the spirit world send 
you greetings. All are well, and our work is 
proceeding to our entire satisfaction. Charles 
Sumner, H. EL, opr." After receiving the forego- 



death; the meaning and result. 247 

ing message I scanned it very closely. The 
phraseology was somewhat different from that 
employed in former messages sent us by our 
spirit friends, and I also noticed that the oper- 
ating was by some strange operator. The mes- 
sage being dated and the heading of it being 
"Spirit Headquarters" I presumed that it had 
been sent to us from there and that neither the 
operator or the person who dictated it was 
present at the office. I w r rote the following on 
a slip of paper and instructed Mr. Dallas to 
send it over the wire: "Office J. K. Wilson, 
February 18, 1894. Message just received sign- 
ed 'Charles Sumner, H. H., opr.' Suspicious. Is 
it genuine. J. K. Wilson." After sending the 
foregoing we got the following reply: "Spirit 
Headquarters February 18, 1894. Yes, message 
all right, w r e have a new operator. Charles Sum- 
ner." And then the following was ticked off: 
"The work of getting material for our book has 
already commenced. There is much labor in 
connection with this and it may take us longer 
than we at first figured on. This will be all 
this evening. Good night. C. S., H. H., opr." 

February 20, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my 
office at 9:30 p. m. Soon we received the fol- 
lowing message: "Good evening, gentlemen, Dr. 
Eddy and myself are here. Mr. Sumner and 
Prof. F. R. S. wish me to say that all are well. 
Dr. Shoemaker has been very busy at the work, 
in fact, w^e are all hard at w-ork getting ready 
for you. Plum Mitchell, opr." 



248 death; the meaning and result. 

In reply I said orally as usual: "Good evening, 
Plum. Good evening, Doctor. I am glad you 
came," and then the following was ticked off: 
"I wish to state to you that our new work will 
lead you further and further away from the 
usual lines in which w r e have been following for 
some time past. There are many points in con- 
nection with this which at present it is impossible 
for me to define or explain the nature to you, but 
they will come up of themselves and you will 
have no difficulty in solving them. The work is 
progressing at a rate -which surpasses our ex- 
pectations and as yet we find nothing to retard 
us in very shortly completing the same. Charles 
Sumner, P. M., opr." And then the following: 
"We will now leave you. Good evening.' ' 

March 6, 1894, Mr. Dallas called at my office 
at 9 p. m. We had met several times since the 
20th of February but heard nothing from our 
spirit friends. In a few minutes after Mr. Dallas 
came to the office the instrument gave us the 
following: "March 6, 1894. Good evening, 
gentlemen. We are not ready for you yet but 
will be very soon. Everything is moving to our 
satisfaction. Dr. Shoemaker, P. M., opr." Im- 
mediately w-e received the following: "We cannot 
stay longer with you tonight. We are all work- 
ing hard and employing all our spare force. 
Good night. Dr. S., P. M., opr." 

March 12, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my 
office at 9. p. m. We have met nearly every 
evening since March 6 in order to give our spirit 



death; the meaning and result. 249 

friends an opportunity to communicate with us 
if they so desired, but heard nothing from them 
until this evening. Soon after Mr. Dallas 
came to the office the instrument ticked off 
the following: "Good evening, John, good even- 
ing, Ed. We know that you are feeling uneasy 
about us and Mr. Sumner sent me here tonight 
to say to you that the enemy are making 
great efforts to retard the progress of our work 
and that a conflict with them seems inevitable, 
so do not think it strange if you do not hear 
from us for some time. Plum Mitchell, opr." 
In reply I said: "Good evening, Plum, we are glad 
you came. We were feeling somewhat uneasy about 
our friends. Are the enemy strong in force?' ' 
Immediately the answer: "Yes the enemy is strong 
but we have no fear as to the result. You 
must excuse me for not staying long, Mr. Sum- 
ner instructed me to return soon. We will keep 
you advised as opportunity affords. Good night. 
Plum Mitchell, opr." 

March 29, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my 
office at 9 p. m. We had met on several even- 
ings during the interim from March 12, but 
had heard nothing from our spirit friends. We 
could not account for their silence only on the 
hypothesis intimated in the last message from 
them. This evening the instrument ticked off 
the following message: "Spirit Headquarters, 
March 29, 1894. To J. K. Wilson and E. M. 
Dallas: Once again we greet you after a 
hard fight with the enemy and it gives us great 



250 death; the meaning and result. 

pleasure to see you both ready at your post of 
duty. It was impossible for us to communicate 
to you during the fight, but we knew that you 
would support us loyally in this work and we 
have not been disappointed. We have been dam- 
aged to a great extent, although few of our 
party have been injured. The Catholic influence 
which we have been fighting against are a very 
low order and no dependence can be placed on 
them and although for the time they have been 
surpressed they are liable to break in upon us in 
the future. Now while this opposing power 
exists, it will be impossible to succeed in our 
work and a proposition is therefore placed before 
you which will be entirely in your hands to 
accept or reject. We are determined to forever 
wipe out this low Catholic influence which has 
given us so much trouble, but this will take 
some time to accomplish. It may be a year, two, 
or more, and what we ask of you is, will you 
remain tog-ether during the period? We do not 
ask any other conditions of you. It will not 
matter what you are employed at or where 
you are located as long as you are willing to 
take up the thread where we left off, when we 
are ready to do so. We must have entire control 
of the spirit world before we can go any further, 
and although we expect a long and hard struggle 
we will win in the end, for is not our liberty 
and our religion threatened to be overthrown? 
We must either conquer or go on fighting into 
Eternity, for we will never fail, and we ask for 



death; the meaning and result. 251 

y our help in this. You will have our help and 
guidance in the meantime and we will be ready 
at any moment to advise you in anything you 
may wish to ask. You have done nobly with 
us up to the present time and you have won 
the admiration of the spirit world. Then will 
we go on further till at last we have overcome 
all and our great and noble work is complete? 
It is for you to say. Give this careful attention. 
Be not too quick in answering until you have 
satisfied yourselves on all points and then give 
us your answer. Your spirit friends, Charles 
Sumner, William Patterson Shoemaker, Prof. 
F. R. S." 

Here is a great message. It is lucid and self- 
explanatory. It contains a proposition to Dal- 
las and myself of momentous import. The con- 
flict is on between the hosts of the spirit 
world and its result as portrayed in the 
message meant much, very much. That 
which is dear to mortals is threatened, and 
undoubtedly to spirits with their quickened 
perceptions a thousand times more dear than to 
mortals with, at the best, clouded understanding. 
What mortal could, with any sense of propriety, 
turn a deaf ear to such an appeal freighted as 
it is with a sentiment so grand and lofty? For 
myself I can say that after reading this message 
I am prepared instanter to enlist in the cause 
along lines therein expressed, but at this time I 
am not sure how Mr. Dallas will view it; and 
then again they have requested that we be not 



252 death; the meaning and result. 

hasty in coining to conclusions evidently desiring 
that we should first understand its import and 
digest its contents by calm deliberation. After 
reading the message I handed it back to Mr. 
Dallas without saying a word. I was too full of 
patriotism just then to express myself. Mr. 
Dallas read it through carefully and as he fin- 
ished reading it the instrument ticked off the 
following: "Now, gentlemen, we will leave you 
for the night. Talk over the fact between you 
and we will see you on next Sunday and explain 
more fully. Good night. Charles Sumner.' ' 

April 1, 1894, Dallas met me at my office at 
7:30 p. m. Yv^e expected some of the spirit 
friends to visit us this evening, as they had 
made an appointment to do so. Mr. Dallas and 
myself had met several times since March 29 
and on each occasion had earnestly discussed 
and deliberated upon the proposition submitted 
to us by our spirit friends at our last meeting. 
I had continued in my determination to accede 
to their proposition. The more I read the mes- 
sage submitted by them the more I discerned 
its importance and the lofty sentiment expressed 
therein. A battle not for conquest but for prin- 
ciple of the greatest consequence, was on among 
the hosts of the borderland. Victory for our 
spirit friends meant the shedding of the true light 
on the earth planet and a substitution of truth 
for error, knowledge for superstition. Their de- 
feat meant the reverse with all its baneful influ- 
ences. 



death; the meaning and result. 253 

Mr. Dallas was not so enthusiastic in the mat- 
ter. He loves the right, despises the wrong and 
is in sympathy with the cause espoused by our 
spirit friends, but he almost shrinks from his 
responsibility should he endorse and accept the 
proposition submitted; however, somewhat re- 
luctantly he said he would do what he could to 
assist them in their cause, to stand by their 
colors and attain the maste^. Soon after our 
meeting on this evening the telegraph instrument 
began to click and gave us the following mes- 
sage: ' 'April 1, 1894, Spirit Headquarters. To 
J. K. Wilson and E. M. Dallas. Gentlemen: We 
will be at your office according to appointment. 
Charles Sumner, P. M., opr." And immediately 
the following: "Hello, John, I am all right 
again. P. M." Mr. Mitchell then informed 
us that Mr. Sumner, F. R. S. and Dr. Shoe- 
maker were with us in person. I then said: 
"Good evening, gentlemen. We are pleased to 
meet you. This is the time you were to come 
here for your answer to the proposition submit- 
ted during our last meeting. I am ready to give 
you my answer, which is, I accept your propos- 
ition in its entirety without qualification of 
any kind. An\^ assistance I can give you to 
further vour cause vou can relv on at all times. 
Wherever you lead I will follow. I have implicit 
confidence in your ability and realize your lofty^ 
purpose. I answer for myself only; Mr. Dallas 
must do the same." Mr. Dallas then said: "I 
admire your purpose as disclosed in your mes- 



254 death; the meaning and result. 

sage. I have thought over the matter a great 
deal, and have come to the conclusion to accept 
your proposition. I will follow in the work 
with Mr. Wilson.' ' Immediately the instrument 
gave us the following: "Gentlemen, your answer 
gives us great joy and we know you will have 
the gratitude of the spirit world. We are certain 
of victory in the end, the obtaining of which 
will give us a better opportunity to show our 
appreciation of the noble way you have sus- 
tained us in this great cause. We would like to- 
answer any question you wish to ask us while 
we have strength. C. S., P. M., opr." 

I then asked our spirit friends some questions- 
pertaining to the work contemplated by them, 
to which I received ready answers. Among the 
questions was: "Mr. Sumner, do you know 
how long it will take to subdue this adverse 
force?" To which the following reply was given: 
"No, but as far as we can judge it will take at 
least eighteen months. C. S." I then said: "I 
do not think of any other questions I care to 
ask at present. " In a few seconds we received 
the following: "Before I go I would like to say 
a few words to you, John. I was hurt in the 
most important battle we have had since the 
break. I was carrying a very important message 
from Mr. Sumner to Dr. Shoemaker who was 
near the out-post of the enemy when I was cap- 
tured by the enemy and taken down into their 
low conditions. Dr. Shoemaker and Mr. Sumner 
managed to rescue me through great effort. I 



death; the meaning and result. 255 

think they are the only spirits who could have 
planned and effected my escape. And I assure 
you I never can do enough for these gentlemen, 
and the cause for which they are contending, to 
repa}^ them for what they have done for me. 
I have only partly recovered from my injuries 
but will be as well and strong as ever in about 
two months. Well, I must not take the time of 
these gentlemen. I am holding them here and 
the}- wish to go. We will come again when we 
can. Good night. Plum Mitchell, opr." 

Note. In the message here noted from my 
spirit friend, Plum Mitchell, he speaks of having 
been captured by the enemy and rescued by Mr. 
Sumner and Dr. Shoemaker. He speaks highly 
of their efforts and declares allegiance to their 
cause. The circumstances of his capture as 
related by Mitchell seems so very strange to me 
that sometimes I hardly know what to think 
about it; but then, Plum, with other spirit 
friends, have appeared to me to be truthful, hon- 
est and candid, showing at no time any dispo- 
sition to intentionally mislead. I must therefore 
accept his statement as true. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

A Strange Spirit — Interferes With Instrument — Spirits 
F. R. S., Sumner, Shoemaker and Mitchell present — 
Spirit Telegrams — Dallas Desires to Leave Bradford 
— Informed of Letter — Received Letter — Spirit Sum- 
ner's Message About Letter — Why Dallas and Wil- 
son Selected — Dallas Advised to Remain in Bradford 
— Message From Spirit Mitchell — Severe Engagement 
— More War — Message — Victory W^on — Message From 
F. R. S.— Mode of Warfare— Forty-Eight Hour En- 
gagement — Spirit Mitchell Wounded — Spirits Sumner 
and Shoemaker Wounded — Spirit Eddy's Capture 
Planned — Invisible Wires — Electric Storm Disturbs 
Instrument — Dallas and Wilson Intercept Messages — 
Intercepted Spirit Telegrams — Cipher Message — 
Strange Telegrams — Intercepted Message Repeated 
to Spirit Friends— The Result. 

On April 2, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my 
office at 9 p. m. We were not expecting our 
spirit friends to be with us on this occasion. 
Some few minutes after Mr. Dallas came into 
the office, the instrument ticked three or four 
times and stopped. We thought that strange 
and I asked: "Plum, is this you around the 
instrument ?" No answer. I stepped up to the 



death; the meaning and result. 257 

instrument and discovered that the sounder or 
hammer rather was held down as it naturally 
would be if the key were depressed. I went to 
the key and discovered that it was pressed down. 
I made a movement toward putting my finger 
on it and just before I came in contact with the 
key it resumed its proper position. This was a 
new proceeding to us and we did not know 
what it meant. While we were trying to dis- 
cover the cause we heard raps on the table. I 
said: "Is this spirit k who rapped an acquaint- 
ance of ours?" In response we heard one dis- 
tinct rap which in the rapping code means no. 

Before I could ask another question the in- 
strument began to tick and we got the follow- 
ing message: "April 2, 1894. Spirit Headquar- 
ters. To J. K. W. and E. M. D.: Good evening 
gentlemen. We had some difficulty in getting a 
strange spirit out of your office but all is clear 
now. Plum Mitchell will operate for us tonight. 
If there is anything important that you want 
answered let us know as Dr. Shoemaker and 
Mr. Sumner are here. Prof. F. R. S." In re- 
sponse I said that "I had no question of impor- 
tance to ask." Mr. Dallas then said: "I have 
been thinking that I could do better in my busi- 
ness in a larger city than this; is it necessary 
for me to sta}- in Bradford during the time you 
are preparing the way for the work?" Imme- 
diately we received the following: "We would 
much prefer that you would remain in Bradford. 
We are aware that you have thought some of 



258 death; the meaning and result. 

leaving but we think it would be as well for you 
and much better for us for you to remain here. 
Charles Sumner.' ' Before Mr. Dallas made any 
reply the following was ticked off: "Mr. Dallas, 
you will receive an important letter from St. 
Thomas, Ontario. It will be sent by your uncle, 
F. P. Mac Donald. It was written today and 
contains information of importance to you and 
will have some bearing on your decision as to 
remaining in Bradford. We will not disclose to 
you its contents for it will soon reach you and 
you will then know what it contains. Your 
spirit sister informed us that she was present 
with your uncle this p. m., read the letter as it 
was written and informed us of its contents. 
Charles Sumner." Soon after the foregoing mes- 
sage was ticked off, we received the following: 
"Well, gentlemen, if you have no more questions 
to ask, we will bid you good evening. C. S." We 
said: "Good evening to all. ,, 

Note. During this sitting we were informed 
by a message which we received in this myster- 
ious way that a letter had been written, on this 
date, by Mr. Dallas' uncle, F. P. Mac Donald, 
at St. Thomas, Ontario. I asked Mr. Dallas if 
he had an uncle by that name living at St. 
Thomas; he replied that he had. This message 
tells us something of the contents of the letter 
and we are told also how our spirit friends were 
informed of this letter and its contents. After 
our spirit friends had departed we discussed the 
subject and wondered if the statement in regard 



death; the meaning and result. 259 

to the letter was correct; we concluded that we 
had no reason to doubt w r hat had been told to 
us about it. 

April 6, 1894, Mr. Dallas and myself met at 
the usual place at 9 p. m. We had met every 
evening since April 2, in order to give our friends 
an opportunit\ r to communicate with us should 
they so desire. We were also anxious about the 
letter which our spirit friends told us had been 
prepared by Mr. Dallas' uncle at St. Thomas.. 
We expected by what the spirits said that the 
letter would reach Bradford on April 3, but no 
letter came. We were sure it would reach Brad- 
ford on the following day but no letter put in 
its appearance. We began to think that our 
spirit friends had made a mistake this time r 
sure. The morning of the 5th came and no letter, 
but during the day a letter bearing the post- 
mark of St. Thomas, Ontario, was placed into 
the hands of Mr. Dallas by the postman. Mr. 
Dallas came directly to my office before he had 
opened the letter. I had requested him to do so, 
in order that I might see this letter of which we 
had been told with my own eyes. He handed 
me the letter and I examined it closely and ob- 
served that the outgoing postmark was "St- 
Thomas, Ontario, April 4, 1894. " When I made 
this discovery I thought our spirit friends had 
made a mistake in dates as they told us that 
the letter was prepared on April 2. I also ob- 
served that the letter, as the incoming postmark 
showed, had been received at the Bradford Post 



260 death; the meaning and result. 

Office on April 5, 1894. By Mr. Dallas' permis- 
sion I opened the letter and was much surprised 
when I observed that the date of the letter was 
April 2, 1894, the exact date given to us by our 
spirit friends. By Mr. Dallas' permission I read 
the letter and it was on the subject intimated 
by Mr. Sumner and signed F. P. Mac Donald. 
Mr. Sumner had been surprisingly accurate in 
his information concerning the letter, its date 
and contents. It had been prepared on April 2, 
but not mailed until April 4. 

This is indeed wonderful. Mr. Dallas and I 
had been informed while in Bradford, Pa., through 
a telegraph instrument, with no visible connec- 
tions to it leading outside of my office, being 
operated by an intelligence claiming to be the 
spirit of Charles Sumner, on the second day of 
April, 1894, that on that day a letter on a cer- 
tain subject had been prepared by F. P. Mac 
Donald in St. Thomas, Ontario, a distance of at 
least one hundred and fifty miles from where we 
were at the time, the latter on its receipt veri- 
fied in every particular what had been told us 
concerning it. If the force or intelligence giving 
us this information is not spirit, as it claims to 
be, I will leave the matter with some savant to 
figure out what it is. 

Soon the instrument began to move and tick- 
ed off the following message: "Good evening 
gentlemen, I hope I find you both well. I ob- 
serve that you have received the letter of which 
I spoke at our last meeting. Your uncle, Mr. 



death; the meaning and result. 201 

Dallas, was a little tardy in mailing it. Charles 
Sumner." We both bade Mr. Sumner good even- 
ing and informed that we w r ere as well as usual; 
then Mr. Dallas said: "Yes, Mr. Sumner, I re- 
ceived the letter all right and it contained what 
you said it did." Following this Mr. Sumner 
and Mr. Dallas carried on quite a lengthy con- 
versation, Mr. Sumner using the telegraph in- 
strument and Mr. Dallas speaking orally, on the 
subject of Mr. Dallas remaining in Bradford. 

After they had concluded their conversation 
Mr. Sumner asked me through the instrument if 
there was anything special that I wished to ask 
him. In response to the invitation I asked a 
few questions to which I received prompt replies. 
Then I said: "Mr. Sumner, I feel that the re- 
sponsibilit3 r resting on me in pursuing the work 
you have marked out for me to do is very great, 
and a sense of inability- and weakness creeps over 
me once in awhile and forces me to the conclusion 
that you might have chosen one much better 
adapted to your work than myself. I am quite 
certain Mr. Dallas feels about as I do in the 
matter." In response the instrument ticked off 
the following message: "In choosing you, we 
have selected the best material in existence at 
the present time. You have the forces in you 
which combine and make up the pow r er we lack 
over here. That power has been wanting for 
many centuries and now that all is complete 
and our enemies gone from us forever, the work 
will go forward slow but with the power of the 



262 death; the meaning and result. 

ocean tide and^shall sweep all before it. It is 
our wish that you be as brothers to each other, 
bound together by a sacred band which cannot 
and will not be broken. We cannot say that 
you both will be able to see the final victory in 
the end but if one of you passes over to our 
side the other will carry on the work and what 
a happy meeting it will be for you when you 
join us on our side after a hard fought victory; 
everlasting glory, fame and happiness await you 
in the spirit world. Charles Sumner." And im- 
mediately thereafter we received the following: 
"Well, I must now leave you. I will come as op- 
portunity affords. Good night. Charles Sumner." 

On April 8, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my 
office at 1:30 p. m. Soon we received the fol- 
lowing: "To J. K. W. and E. M. D.: Good day 
gentlemen, we trust you are both well. Dr. 
Shoemaker, Prof. F. R. S., Dr. Eddy, P.M., opr." 
We informed our spirit friends that we were in 
our usual health. Following this Mr. Dallas 
and the spirits carried on a lengthy conversation, 
the spirits talking by telegraphy and Mr. Dallas 
orally, concerning Mr. Dallas leaving Bradford 
during the time the work was being prepared. 
The spirits seemed to be firm in their opinion 
that the better way would be for Mr. Dallas to 
remain in Bradford and finallj r he acceded to 
their wishes and promised to remain in this city 
until advised further by them. 

April 9, 1894, Mr. Dallas called at my office at 
9 p. m. Soon after his arrival the instrument 



death; the meaning and result. 263 

ticked off the following message: " April 9, 1894. 
To J. K. Wilson and E. M. Dallas: Meeting 
postponed; severe engagement with the enemy. 
Good bye. Plum Mitchell, opr." This message 
informs us of another conflict among the hosts 
of the border land. Well, where will it end? 
What will be the result? These are problems 
which time alone can solve. 

April 12, 1894, Dallas and myself met at the 
usual place at 9 p. m. We had met every even- 
ing since the 9th but heard nothing from our 
spirit friends. Mr. Dallas had been in the office 
about one-half hour when the telegraph instru- 
ment gave us the following: " April 12, 1894. 
To J. K. Wilson and E. M. Dallas: Still fight- 
ing, great losses on the enemies' side — few^ friends 
wounded — more news later — by Sunday. Plum 
Mitchell, opr." In response to this telegram I 
said: "Good evening, Plum; I hope you will 
come out victorious, and very soon. Immed- 
iately w^e received the following: "The enemy 
heard of our meeting which we had planned for 
Monday evening at your office and they intend- 
ed to break in on us but we are making it warm 
for them. Good night, I am wanted by Air. Sum- 
ner. Plum Mitchell, opr." 

April 15, 1894, Mr. Dallas came to my office 
at 3 p. m. We had heard nothing from our friends 
since the 12th inst. At this time however, we 
had been together but a few minutes when the 
instrument gave us the following: " April 15, 
1894. Spirit Headquarters. To J. K. Wilson 



264 death; the meaning and result. 

and E. M. Dallas: Once more we greet you, 
gentlemen. After a hard fight with our enemies 
we have been able to overcome them in such a 
manner that it will be some time before they 
regain enough force to make another attack. 
Their loss is 4,561. In many other ways they 
have been defeated, and I may say that never 
again can they make such a stand. Charles 
Sumner, P. M., opr." The instrument was silent 
for a few seconds then we received the following: 
"Gentlemen, it gives me indescribable joy to be 
with you again under the conditions now exist- 
ing. How grand it is to open direct communi- 
cation again. The battle was a long and 
hard one, but we were victorious in the end as 
we always were and always will be. Your 
spirit friend, W. P. Shoemaker, P. M., opr." 

After a few moments rest the instrument tick- 
ed off the following wonderful message: "J. K. 
W. and E. M. D. Fellow workers: Flying be- 
tween the enemy and our friends one moment, 
controlling electric forces greater than can be 
imagined by you, at another moment directing 
the movements of our party against the enemy 
has been my work for the past few days, and 
often have I thought of the noble support offered 
by you gentlemen, and I say to you that you 
have done much in helping us in suppressing 
the low order of spirits which we are now bat- 
tling against. We have undertaken a long and 
fierce struggle for victory, and I tell you, gen- 
tlemen, we are to be victorious in the end as 



death; the meaning and result. 265 

sure as the sun shines today. Prof. F. R. S., opr." 
In explanation of the Professor's reference to 
victory, "as sure as the sun shines today," the 
day on which we received the message was a 
beautiful one and the sun shining brightly. Some 
few minutes elapsed after receiving the last mes- 
sage and then the following came: "To my lov- 
ing son, John Wilson: I have seen much of the 
trials of spirit warfare and your good friends 
are trying hard to gain a victory. I hope you 
will not part with your friend, Mr. Dallas, but 
maintain the conditions that you have been in- 
structed to keep. Your Loving Mother. P. M., 
opr." A short rest followed after the last mes- 
sage and then the following: "We will keep you 
advised from time to time as opportunity affords. 
This will be all today. Good bye. C. S., P. M., 
opr." 

April 21, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my office 
at 7:30 p. m. As usual we had been together 
every evening since the 15th inst but heard 
nothing from our friends. By what they said in 
their last message in regard to the conflict in 
spirit realms we concluded that they were having 
more trouble. Mr. Dallas had been in the office 
but a few minutes when we received the follow- 
ing message: "Good evening, boys, we have 
been engaged wath the enemy for the past forty- 
eight hours. I cannot give any particulars at 
present but the losses on both sides are great. 
I think we have the best of the battle. More 
news in a day or so. Plum Mitchell, opr." 

April 27, 1894, Mr. Dallas called at my office 



266 death; the meaning and result. 

at 8 p. m. We had heard nothing from our 
friends since the 21st inst. We had construed 
their silence to mean that the battle among the 
spirit hosts was still raging. At our meeting 
this evening we received the following message: 
"We are sorry to say that Plum Mitchell is 
wounded. I will take his place for a few days. 
We are still fighting. Good bye. Dr. W. D. Eddy, 
opr." It was very evident to me that friend 
Eddy was in a hurry as he remained only long 
enough to give us the message and was gone. 

April 29, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my office 
at 2. p. m. In a few minutes after he came in 
we received the following telegraph message: 
"Sunday, April 29, 1894. To J. K. Wilson: The 
battle is still on. Many of our friends are in 
the hands of the enemy. Dr. Shoemaker and 
Charles Sumner are both wounded but are able 
to attend to their duties. Prof. F. R. S. is in 
command. Plum is improving rapidly. W. D. 
Eddy, opr." This message contains startling 
news. Our friends are evidently being repulsed 
or defeated in the engagement judging from what 
this message contains. In response I said: "Dr. 
Eddy, what is our friends' outlook in this affair?' ' 
Immediately the reply came: "Not very promis- 
ing for immediate success. We have been met by 
a very large force of the enemy. We have retreat- 
ed from our former position and the enemy are 
in possession of some of our works and wires. 
W. D. E." Immediately after these initials had 
been given on the instrument the following was 



death; the meaning and result. 267 

ticked off: "To W. D. E. Be careful, enemy 
know you are on earth side. W. P. S." And 
immediately the following: "Be ready to return 
here when we give you the signal and we will 
meet you with a force. W. P. S." Following 
this the instrument ticked off this message: 
"John, the enemy have discovered that I am here 
and they are planning for my capture on my 
return. W. D. E." In reply I said: "Doctor, 
can't you stay here?" He immediately answered: 
"I am afraid not." Soon after the instrument 
ticked off the word "Come," and was then si- 
lent for about five minutes. 

I felt uneasy about Dr. Eddy. Had he been 
captured, or had he safely returned to his 
friends on the spirit side? At the end of about 
five minutes silence, and to me suspense, we 
received the following message: "Dr. Eddy reach- 
ed his friends in safety. W. P. S. 66." In ex- 
planation of the "66" added to the signature of 
the last message, it had been arranged between 
spirit Dr. Shoemaker and myself, that, if at any 
time it should become necessary for him to iden- 
tify a message coming over the instrument dur- 
ing his absence, he should use "66" after his 
initials. This is the first time those figures have 
been so used; I can see why it was necessary in 
this instance. Dr. Eddy had informed us that 
the enemy now occupied our friends' former posi- 
tion and were in possession of their "works and 
wires," evidently meaning telegraph wires as 
we would call them on the earth side, and in 



268 death; the meaning and result. 

this instance might use them to give us false 
messages, hence the necessity to use the quota- 
tion"66"to prove the genuineness of this message. 

Our spirit friends had informed us soon after 
we began to communicate with them by tele- 
graphy, that an inductive substance, invisible 
to us or the physical eye, was connected with 
our instrument, and led thence to what they 
termed, "Spirit Headquarters/ ' and that they 
had a system of those wires in their locality in 
the spirit world which bore the same relation to 
their system of telegraphy as material wires do 
to the system of telegraphy on the earth plane. 
The fact that the telegraph instrument in my 
office had an invisible connection leading there- 
from has been proven conclusively to me by 
electric currents coming in on my instrument 
during an electric storm which would be im- 
possible if there was no outside connections. My 
explanation in reference to the invisible con- 
nection leading to and from my office, and 
thus forming a circuit is given, so that what 
follows may be better understood. 

Soon after we received the message signed, 
"W. P. S., 66" the telegraph instrument began 
to tick and we were surprised to receive the fol- 
lowing message: "In a short space 100 from 
two sec. with 500 strong you are to blame for 
a safe return. Warner, opr." And immediately 
thereafter the following was ticked off: "With 
the remaining force we will meet tonight at 
412 sec. F. R. S. is at 31 all will be safe and 



death; the meaning and result. 269 

sure victory Theseon atcion rex is on P. 0. Q. 
C. M. Reply if 0. K." The last two messages 
were Greek to Mr. Dallas and myself. We did 
not understand their contents or what they 
meant. It is very evident that they were not 
intended for us. We were not many minutes, 
however, in coming to a conclusion, satisfactory 
to ourselves, as to how we got the messages. 
Our telegraph instrument was evidently in the 
circuit used by that force called by our spirit 
friends their enemy, and very likely unknown 
to them, their messages were passing through 
my office and ticked off by our instrument. Our 
curiosity was aroused and w^e waited for devel- 
opments. We had not long to wait for in a 
few minutes our instrument was again in motion 
and ticked off the following as near as we were 
able to read: "Secum on ubis vetun valbus et 
semi nerat. Warner, 0. K. it." After getting the 
above message we waited for some time and 
as the instrument remained silent I instructed 
Mr. Dallas to rattle the key of our instrument 
rapidly for a couple of seconds, and then sign 
Warner by telegraph and see what effect if any 
it would have along the line. Mr. Dallas did as 
directed, and immediately thereafter our instru- 
ment ticked off the following: "What do you 
mean, I do not understand you? C. M." A 
moment's rest and then the following was ticked 
off: " There is something wrong with the line, 
but I got the last message all right. Warner, 
0. K." And immediately following this the 



270 death; the meaning and result. 

instrument ticked off this message: "See that 
the information is kept private from all the force. 
We will be there. C. Manning.' , And then the 
following came: "Break the line CM. O. K. 
Warner.' ' 

After receiving this last message Mr. Dallas 
and I waited for some time but all was silent. 
The contents of these mysterious messages we 
had every reason to believe was not intended 
for us. Fnally we agreed to separate for the 
afternoon and meet again after supper and 
accordingly Air. Dallas took his leave. 

At 8:30 p. m. Mr. Dallas again called at my 
office and we were soon discussing the wonder- 
ful messages we had intercepted during the after- 
noon and wondering if the enemy had discovered 
that our instrument was on the circuit in use by 
them. In about one hour our instrument w r as 
recording what was evidently a call going over 
the wire, then followed a response to the calL 
We wrote down the call so as to remember it r 
as we might have occasion to use it. Im- 
mediately following this our instrument ticked 
off the following: "The enemy sent Eddy along 
the line this afternoon. Do you know what he 
said to the earth side of life? Warner, opr." 
Immediately following this the instrument ticked 
off the following: "He told them of the battle 
and a few other things of no importance. C 
M." And then the following; "Did you get all 
the message I sent? C. M." "I O. K.d all I got. 
Warner/ ' In a few minutes thereafter the fol- 



death; the meaning and result. 271 

lowing was ticked off: "Our force is more than 
enough taking a surprise into consideration. We 
are all 0. K. here. C. M." And then the follow- 
ing: "Every thing has been attended to. Wires 
are all 0. K. C. M." In a few minutes there- 
after we received the following message: "The 
lines must have been tampered with. C. M." A 
rest of a few moments and then our instrument 
ticked off the following: "At 9 sharp we have 
all power placed for attack 412 sec. we expect 
your aid on 402 must be ready so their power 
will be cut off. C. M. " And then the following: 
1468 31 7621 46 815 3367 31 26514 9810 132 
21 43778 18912 2169 81 466. C. M. O. K. it 
if all right. C. M." 

After receiving the figure message there was a 
long wait by Dallas aud myself. We had caught 
on to several calls which had passed along the 
line, during the operating, and recorded by our 
instruments during our w^aitand before. In about 
one-half hour after receiving the last message 
the instrument ticked off: "G. H., G. H." that 
was repeated several times but we heard no 
reponse to the call. I instructed Mr. Dallas to 
answer the call; he did so, and then the follow- 
ing came: "To G. H. Have the lines been in- 
spected?' ' We answered up over our instrument: 
"Yes, all O. K." Then the instrument ticked off: 
Have you telegraphed C. M." Mr. Dallas ans- 
wered over our instrument, "Yes, O. K." Then 
came: "Repeat message over wire to me. War- 
ner." Here was a stunner; we had run up against 



272 death; the meaning and result. 

the real thing; we had received a body blow too 
soon to suit lis. We did not know to what 
message Mr. Warner referred. We then tele- 
graphed: "What message? G. H." In reply we 
received the following: "The message you sent 
to CM. Warner/ ' After receiving this message 
Mr. Dallas rattled the key of our instrument 
very rapidly in imitation of operating though 
making few if any letters and signed, "G. H." 
After received this we waited results. We had 
only to wait, however, but a second or two 
until we got in reply: "What in Hell are you 
doing? If I come down I shall make you under- 
stand. Warner." After receiving this Mr. Dallas 
and I looked at each other in amazement and 
the query was, would our connection be discov- 
ered and would we have Mr. Warner as a visi- 
tor? Everything was quiet for a few minutes 
and the following was ticked off: "I will come 
over, there is something wrong, cut the line, 
C. M." After receiving this Mr. Dallas and I 
concluded that just at the present time discretion 
would be the better part of valor, and we ac- 
cordingly cut out our instrument and separated 
for the evening. 

On April 30. 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my 
office at 10 a. m. Soon thereafter we received 
the following message: "To J. K. Wilson, E. 
Dallas: If you get any messages today send 
them to me. Dr. W. D. Eddy, 66." And imme- 
diately after receiving this the following was 
ticked off: "Do not be afraid, they have cut 



death; the meaning and result. 273 

your side of the line and we can't get what you 
do. W. D. E." We answered over the instru- 
ment. "0. K. J. K. W., E. M. D." Judging 
from the foregoing message received from Dr. 
Eddy our friends knew the fact that Mr. 
Dallas and myself were in a position to intercept 
messages sent by their enemy. We were on the 
alert to intercept more messages. We waited 
for some time and then the instrument ticked 
off the following: "Not sure if I can come W. 
0. K." A little rest and then the following: "If 
all is clear send message to me direct — C. M. — 
0. K. it." A rest of a few moments and the 
following was ticked off: "All right, got message 
0. K. that will do — Manning/ ' After receiving 
the last message the instrument was again 
silent for about five minutes, then we got the 
following: 12 cut line at 401 — use the other side 
— W. A. R., O. K." And then the following: 
"What do you mean 12 R." "Send on 12 to 401 
R." Then there was a rest of a few moments 
and then the instrument ticked off the following: 
"To war. Rn 471 at 646 tonight with same no 
to C. M. and S. W. S. to 400 F. R. S. at 60 all 
in work there force at 212— leave W. P. S. tell 
12 no message had been received today. C. M., 
0. K." 

After receiving the last message everything 
was silent for quite a few minutes. We were in 
a dilemma, for if we repeated the messages we 
had intercepted to our friends would they not 
also be heard by the enemy? While we were 



274 death; the meaning and result. 

thus hesitating and discussing the advisability 
of repeating this last message over our instru- 
ment we received the following: "If you have 
intercepted any messages send them to me quick. 
W. D. E. 66.' ' On receiving this message Mr. 
Dallas bent himself to the task and soon had 
repeated on our instrument all the messages we 
had intercepted during the day. As soon as this 
was accomplished we received the following mes- 
sage. "Thanks, all O. K. That is what we 
wanted to get at. Cut out your instrument. W. 
D. E. 66. " We immediately did as Dr. Eddy 
directed us. Curiosity again got the better of 
Dallas and myself and we again cut in our in- 
strument and watched for results. Soon it tick- 
ed off the following: "Look out for F. R. S. He 
is on our line. Send all messages the other way 
—War. 0. K. if you rec 0. K. G. H." After 
waiting for some time and hearing nothing more 
we cut out the instrument and separated for 
the evening. 

May 1, 1894, Mr. Dallas and myself met at 
the usual place. We arranged our telegraph in- 
strument and waited for more messages to inter- 
cept. On this day he came to my office at 10 
a. m. and after waiting until 12 m. and hearing 
nothing and receiving no messages we came to 
the conclusion that the enemy had cut us off. 
We soon separated and met again at 1 p. nu 
We waited for about one-half hour, and the fol- 
lowing message was ticked off: "Let ies It omig 
ht at twelve havel omo nahn dr close your line 



death; the meaning and result. 275 

there 12 who is opr at 5 C. M. 23 439 261 14 
60." A moment of silence and then the follow- 
ing: "Send nothing more will have to see what 
is wrong I will look over the lines. C. M." A 
few minutes elapsed after we received the fore- 
going then the following "was ticked off: "Cut 
out your instrument or they will get on to the 
connection. W. D. E." We cut out our instru- 
ment as instructed and separated for the time 
being. 

At 10:15 p. m. Mr. Dallas and I again met 
and very soon after he came into the office the 
telegraph instrument began to rattle and ticked 
off the following message: "To J. K. Wilson 
and E. M. Dallas: We are glad you are togeth- 
er. We have been expecting a message to go 
through your end of the line about 10:30; try 
and get it. Prof. F. R. S." In reply to this 
message I said: "All right, Professor. Shall we re- 
peat it over the wire if we get it?" Immediately 
he replied: "Yes. Good night. F. R. S." After 
receiving this we were closely watching for any 
messages sent by the enemy so as to follow the 
instructions of the Professor. In a very few 
minutes the instrument began to tick and we 
intercepted the following message: "401 Warner 
force 41 is at 12 and laid at sec 412 you will 
find the rest try at 1 a. m. be sure that P. Leo 
is ready and I will have about 8000 if not more 
you can find out if F. R. S. is still at the head of 
36 they have Mitchell out again it will be well to 
go carefully if he is there note the following 



276 death; the meaning and result. 

order 241 361 9821 73210 6641 73 26346 789 
24 32 431— C. Manning." Some few minutes 
after receiving this message we received the fol- 
lowing: "If you have received message, repeat 
quick. Prof. F. R. S. 66." After receiving this 
Mr. Dallas bent to the task of repeating the 
message as instructed. After that was done we 
received the following: "To J. K. W. and E. M. 
D.: You have done more for us tonight to help 
the cause and receive our most gracious thanks. 
Prof. F. R. 3., Plum Mitchell, opr." And then 
the following: "Will let you know the result in 
a few days. Good night." 



CHAPTER XV. 

Spirit Telegram— A New Operator — Spirit Harvey 
Mason — Our Acquaintance — Spirit Telegrams — 
Victory — Engagement Expected — Battle — Another 
Victory— More Spirit Telegrams — Map by Spirit 
Mitchell— Position of Spirit Forces in Battle 
Array— Enemy Reinforced — Message From Spirit 
Sumner — Wilson Meets Spirit Sumner — Controlled — 
Fight Still On— Victory for Friends— Spirits F. R. S„ 
Plum Mitchell and Dr. Shoemaker Present — What 
They Say. 

May 15, 1894. We have not heard from our 
spirit friends since May 1. During the interim 
I have moved my office from the Roberts Block 
to the Dikeman Block, corner Main and Congress 
Streets, Bradford. The first five or six days after 
May 1, we gave our friends frequent opportunities 
to communicate had they been in a position to 
do so, but no news came from them. It was ev- 
ident to us that their silence was not from choice 
and that the war w^as still being w r aged, but on 
whose banner victory had perched we had no 
way of finding out. During the last seven days 



278 death; the meaning and result. 

I have been busy moving, and the opportunities 
for our friends to reach us were less than they 
otherwise would have been. 

On this date, the protracted silence was brok- 
en. We had connected our instrument in my 
new office in the manner formerly explained. Soon 
after Mr. Dallas came the instrument ticked off 
this message: "Mr. Wilson, I have come to tell 
you that your friends were defeated. Mr. Mitch- 
ell tried to come to you before you left your 
old office but could not get you. They cannot 
come for some time. H. M., opr." I said after 
reading the message: "Who is H. M.?" The 
instrument ticked off "Harvey Mason. " Here 
was a new operator in the field and this is his 
first message pertaining to our friends and their 
conflict. I questioned him orally, he giving an- 
swers over the instrument until I satisfied my- 
self that the operator was really who he repre- 
sented himself to be. 

I was not acquainted with Mr. Harvey Mason 
while he was in the mortal form. In the month 
of March of this year from the 12th to the 29th, 
we heard nothing direct from our spirit friends. 
One day Mr. Dallas and myself met in my office 
and after conversing I made the remark: "I 
would like very much to hear from our spirit 
friends," and immediately, as if in response to 
what I had said, we heard on the floor near the 
chair on which Mr. Dallas was seated a succes- 
sion of distinct raps. We were all attention for 
just at that time we were as liable to be visited 



death; the meaning and result. 279 

by an enemy in spirit as a friend. As we listen- 
ed another succession of raps came. I said: "Is 
this a friend?" Immediately -we heard three raps 
signifying yes. I then said: "Can you telegraph 
by raps?" In response we heard one rap signi- 
fying no. The raps by tone and expression seem- 
ed familiar to me. I thought for a few seconds 
and wondered who it could be, and it then oc- 
curred to me that perhaps it was my old friend 
Will Schopperle and I said: "Is this Will Schop- 
perle?" In response there came a succession of 
raps. I asked Mr. Schopperle several questions, 
always put so he could answer by the rapping 
code. After this conversation had been carried 
on for some time I said: "Will, can't you get 
some spirit operator to come here and talk for 
you by telegraphy?' ' In response, two raps sig- 
nifying, don't you. I then asked: "Will you 
try?" In response, three raps signifying yes. I 
then said: "All right, see what you can do and 
we will wait for you. 

A few minutes and then we heard a strange 
rap followed by a succession of raps which in 
rapping telegraphy said: "Gentlemen, Mr. 
Schopperle requested me to come here and oper- 
ate in this "way for him. He desires me to say 
that your friends are engaged in warfare with 
the enemy and that none of them have been 
able to reach you for some time." In response 
1 said: "Very well, we are much obliged to 
Mr. Schopperle and also to you for giving us 
this news." I then asked: "Were you ever here 



280 death; the meaning and result. 

before ?" He answered: "No" "You did not sign 
your name to the message; I would like to know 
your name." "My name is Harvey Mason." 
Then the following dialogue passed between us: 
"Where did you live before passing to spirit 
life?" "Oil City, Pa." How long have you been 
in spirit life?' ' "About nine years." "At what 
were you employed before passing over?" "I was 
a telegrapher in the employ of the Western 
Union Co. I also worked at the same business 
at Buffalo, N. Y." "Do you think you could 
operate for us on a Morse Telegraph Instrument 
now?" "I do not know." "Would you like to give 
it a trial?" "Yes, if it is any accommodation to 
you." I replied that "it would accommodate us 
to receive a message from him in that way." I 
then connected the instrument with the battery 
and said: "Now, Mr. Mason, try your hand at 
operating in the old way." Very soon after I 
made this remark the key began to move and 
in a few minutes the spirit Harvey Mason was 
operating on the telegraph instrument with as 
much force and proficiency as a spirit in mortal 
body could possibly do. 

I had quite a talk with Mr. Mason. Among 
other things I asked him "if he was happy in 
the spirit world." He replied: "No, far from it." 
"Why are you not happy?" "My surroundings 
are not pleasant to me and I am far from being 
contented. I would like to get back to earth 
and live again in mortal body." The very 
prompt way in which he answered all my ques- 



death; the meaning and result. 281 

tions, seemingly trying to conceal nothing, im- 
pressed me that he was open, frank, truthful 
and honest. In a few moments I said to him; 
"Mr. Mason, have you not advanced or progress- 
ed any since you entered spirit life?" "No, Mr. 
Wilson, I have not." "Why have you not pro- 
gressed?" "Spirits with whom I come in contact 
tell me that I cannot progress." I then asked 
him if he knew Dr. Shoemaker, Plum Mitchell 
and others whom I named of my spirit friends; 
to this he answered: "No, sir, I have not met 
any whom you have named." "Did you know- 
Mr. Schopperle before passing over?" "No, sir, 
I got acquainted with him in the spirit world." 
"Is Mr. Schopperle here yet?" "Yes sir." 
"Would you like to progress in the spirit world?" 
"Yes, sir, if such were possible." I then said: 
"Mr. Schopperle, I am told that you are here 
yet, and I wish you to do a favor for me which 
is this: I desire you to take this spirit, Mr. Har- 
vey Mason, to Dr. Shoemaker and others of my 
spirit friends, introduce him to them and say to 
them, please, that it is by my request that you 
do so, and say to my friends that I desire them 
to examine this spirit, and if they find him de- 
serving, to do what they can for him in way of 
making his condition better." In response to 
what I had said Mr. Mason gave us the follow- 
ing: "Mr. Schopperle desires me to say that he 
will do as you request. I thank you for taking 
an interest in me." Air. Mason and I carried 
on further conversation but finally the telegraph 



282 death; the meaning and result. 

instrument seemed to go wrong and then the 
following, with seeming difficulty, was ticked 
off: "Mr. Wilson, some strange spirits are here 
in your office trying to operate and desire to 
sign my name to the message. I do not know 
who they are but I do not think they are friends 
of yours. Some of them look very ancient. I 
guess we better stop trying to operate as these 
spirits are interfering, so I will say, good night. 
Harvey Mason/ ' 

On May 20, Mr. Dallas met me at my office 
at 3 p. m. We had heard nothing from our 
spirit friends since the 15th inst. Soon the tele- 
graph instrument was in motion and ticked off 
the following message: "Plum will be here today. 
Everything is all right. The last battle was a 
victory for us. H. M. To J. K. Wilson.' ' A 
silence of a few minutes followed the receipt of 
this message and then we received the following: 
"May 20, 1894. To J. K. Wilson: We are able 
to return again but other forces will not let us 
operate to you at present. Plum Mitchell, opr." 
I observed that the telegraph instrument did not 
seem to work well while receiving the last mes- 
sage. The lever of the sounder would remain 
down for a second or so, sometimes as though 
held there by the current or other force. I made 
the remark. "Plum, I am very glad you are 
here. Is anything wrong with the instrument ?" 
Immediately the instrument ticked off the follow- 
ing: "No, the instrument is all right but spirits 
are here who do all they can to prevent us oper- 



death; the meaning and result. 283 

ating. We will have to get them away from 
here. I can't stay longer. Good bye. P. M." 
Mr. Dallas and I bade Plum good day and 
hearing nothing further we separated for the 
time being. At 7 p. m. Mr. Dallas again called 
at my office. In a few minutes we received the 
following: "To J. K. W. and E. D.: It will be 
impossible for any of our friends to be here to- 
night. Expect another battle tonight before 
twelve. P. M., opr." Everything was quiet for 
about two hours after receiving this message 
and then the following was ticked off: "Your 
friends are fighting their way nobly and I think 
the enemy will soon be entirely shorne of power. 
We are to have a fight tonight and we will win. 
Your mother is all right and most of your 
friends. Will Schopperle, H. M., opr." 

Note. The initials signed H. M. to the first 
message are the initials of Harvey Mason, to 
whom I have previously referred as a spirit tele- 
graph operator. I observe that in some instan- 
ces only the initials of the operator are signed 
to messages given in this way. 

On May 23, Mr. Dallas called at my office 
at 8 p. m. and we received the following tele- 
gram: "We are still fighting. Plum will be here 
in a day or two. Good night. H. M." 

On May 24 Mr. Dallas met me at my office 
at 8 p. m. In a few minutes we received the 
following: "My dear friends, after a very heavy 
loss on both sides we have scored a victory 
which is going to count a big one for us. I am 



284 death; the meaning and result. 

much improved and able to be at my post. W. 
D. Eddy, opr." After receiving this message I 
said: "Good evening, Doctor, glad to have you 
here." In a lew minutes we received the follow- 
ing: "Good evening, gentlemen, I am able to be 
here tonight, right side up with care. We did 
give the enemy a bad deal this last battle and I 
think that very shortly we will be able to go 
along all right again. Plum Mitchell, opr." 
And the following: "Good evening, gentlemen, I 
have a few moments to spare. F. R. S." In 
response to this last message I said: "Glad you 
are able to come. Will Dr. Shoemaker be here 
this evening?" In reply we got the following: 
"It is impossible for him to leave the situation 
at present but he will be able to do so in a few 
days. P. M., opr." And the following: "We 
will have to go now. Will see you again tomor- 
row or the next day. Goodnight. P. M., opr." 
May 27, Mr. Dallas called at my office at 2:30 
p. m. Soon we received the following: "Your 
friends are doing a great work. I was not 
allowed to come here for a long time but Prof. 
F. R. S. says that a few of us can come at a 
time so I am here. H. M., for Hathaway. " In 
response I said: "Good afternoon, Ira." The 
Hathaway mentioned in this message I have no 
doubt is intended for Ira Hathaway an old 
Edenburg friend of mine. In a few minutes we 
received the following message: "Hello, how are 
you all. Fine day to come and see your friends. 
Everything is lovely. We knocked hell out of 



death; the meaning and result. 285 

the Irish that last time. P. M., opr." And im- 
mediately the following: "Well, I must go back. 
Good day. P. M." We bade Plum "good day" 
and in a few minutes received the following: 
"Our friends are so situated that it is impossible 
for any more of them to get away. W. S." 
After receiving this, and thinking nothing further 
was to be said, we were about to separate when 
we were startled by the instrument ticking 
sharply and at a fast rate ticked off the follow- 
ing: "Hello, boys, everything is quiet just at 
present on the frontier and by request of Mr. 
Sumner I came to give you, as near as I can by 
the use of this telegraph instrument, a map or 
diagram showing the position of both sides be- 
fore the last great battle, which, as Mr. Sumner 
thinks, will give you a better idea of the situa- 
tion. Please get me as large a sheet of paper 
as you have in the office. Mr. Dallas, you sit 
down at this table, and with pencil trace as I 
direct you. Plum Mitchell." 

I immediately provided a sheet of legal cap 
paper; Mr. Dallas took his seat and traced on 
the paper as directed by spirit, Plum Mitchell, 
and the wonderful map or diagram gradually 
assumed shape, with names, cross lines, etc. 
After completing the map the instrument ticked 
off the following: "This diagram or map shows 
the position of both sides before the last great 
battle. The crossed lines represent the force des- 
troyed or lost. The dotted lines show our electric 
inductive lines which we employ in our system 



286 death; the meaning and result. 

of telegraphy. P. M., opr." After a few minutes 
spent in examining the map I said: "Plum, I 
am sure we appreciate your efforts in making 
the situation as clear as possible, and thank you 
for this map. We also thank Mr. Sumner for 
suggesting its production/ ' Immediately the 
instrument ticked off the following: "I am 
pleased to do all I can along those lines. I must 
go now, I think Mr. Sumner will visit you in a 
day or two. Good bye. Plum Mitchell." 

(The diagram above mentioned will be found 
between pages 272 and 273.) 

Note. At this meeting we came in possession 
of a strange map or diagram, drawn under 
directions of Plum Mitchell, given by telegraphy. 
He says its production is by request of Charles 
Sumner for the purpose of giving us a better 
idea of the situation. By that he undoubtedly 
means the situation of the opposing forces at a 
given time. Near the bottom of the diagram 
marked, "instrument J. K. W. and E. D.," is 
intended to indicate the position of our tele- 
graph instrument, Mr. Dallas and myself on the 
earth plane. The part showing the position of 
"Irish influence/ ' "Catholic stronghold," "In- 
dian influence" and "bad influence of foreign 
material," indicates that they hold a position 
surrounding Mr. Dallas and myself undoubtedly 
for the purpose of closing the avenue of approach 
to us by our spirit friends. The balance of the 
diagram shows the position of our friends pre- 
paratory for an effort to clear the way of adverse 



death; the meaning and result. 287" 

forces and thereby establish uninterrupted access 
to Mr. Dallas and myself. This is the way I 
understand the diagram; the balance is explain- 
ed by the artist producing it. 

May 29, Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 
8:30 p. m. Soon after his arrival the instrument 
gave us the following: "May 29, 1894. To 
Wilson and Dallas from F. R. S. We are having 
much trouble with enemy at present. A new 
force has been added to their band, which makes 
them very strong again. Expect to engage with 
them immediately. H. M., opr." I said in re- 
sponse: "Harvey, what is this new force the 
Professor speaks of?" The answer was as 
follows: "I heard otir friends say among them- 
selves that they were a foreign power but I am 
not sure. Dr. Shoemaker seems to think that 
they are of very little account. H. M." And 
then the following came: "Good evening, gentle- 
men, I called only for a few minutes. I trust 
you are both well. Charles Sumner." In response 
we replied that we were as well as usual and 
very glad that he called on us. Then the follow- 
ing: "I have nothing to report tonight more 
than has been told you. I see Plum gave } t ou the 
map all right. Mr. Wilson, I wash you to give me 
one hour tomorrow between 10 and 11 a. m. I 
wish to see if, during the past few weeks, any 
break has been opened between you and I. 
Charles Sumner." In response I said: "All rights 
Mr. Sumner, I wall be glad to meet you tomorrow 
as requested." And then came, "Thank you. I 
will bid you good night. C. S." 



288 death; the meaning and result. 

Note. At this interview with Mr. Sumner he 
spoke of the map or diagram given us by Mitchell. 
At the time he spoke of this the map was laying 
on the office table near where we were seated. 

May 30, 1894. On yesterday Mr. Charles 
Sumner requested me to met him here today. 
Accordingly at 9:45 a. m. I repaired to my pri- 
vate office to await the arrival of the expected 
guest. I took a seat, wondering if I would 
be able to see Mr. Sumner when he came and 
also reflecting on the very strange proceedings, 
and how very few persons in the mortal form 
who know nothing of the possibility of spirits 
in the mortal body holding converse with spirits 
excarnated by the process called death, would 
believe or give any credence whatever to my 
experience along these lines should I tell it to 
them. How past comprehension the fact is, that 
truth, when in conflict with accepted theory, is 
always received with a temperature indicated by 
the zero mark, if received at all, while error is 
received at the temperature of a summer day and 
often at the boiling point of frenzied fanaticism. 

Well, I had not long to wait for the arrival 
of my honored visitor. I had my watch in hand 
and when the hour of ten o'clock came, with it 
came Charles Sumner. As he stepped into the 
room through the closed door I saw plainly the 
outlines of his figure; I also experienced a local dis- 
turbance of the atmosphere. As he came in 
he stood for a moment, bowed very courteously 
but said not a word that I heard. I said: 



death; the meaning and result. 289 

"Good morning Air. Sumner." and arose from 
my seat and approached him; he bowed again 
and extended his hand as if to shake hands, I 
reached out my hand, but when my hand came 
in contact with his I felt no substance, as mor- 
tals understand matter. I could feel a force en- 
circling my hand and a very perceptible sensa- 
tion of electric currents passing up my arm very 
much resembling the sensation caused by taking 
hold of a small electric battery. He motioned 
me to be seated. I took a seat. He stood near 
me and I felt that very peculiar sensation which 
I have before described. I felt impelled to rise to 
a standing position. I did so, and then I felt an 
irrepressible desire to talk, and I began speaking. 
I did not know what I was talking about or 
realize what I was saying. I knew I was speak- 
ing rapidly and with no apparent effort. I was 
like a machine at high tension, propelled by ir- 
resistable force and kept steady and in balance 
by a governor holding me in line. All at once 
I stopped talking. I had an inclination to take 
my seat again and did so, and in a moment 
was nr^self again. I looked at my watch; it 
registered 11 o'clock; so I had been talking nearly 
one hour. I saw the outlines of Air. Sumner for 
a few moments as he stepped towards the closed 
door, turned facing me and bowed himself 
through it and thus departed. Again I had been 
manipulated in that very strange way by an en- 
tity possessing force enough to completely hold 
my individuality in abevance for one hour. I 



290 death; the meaning and result. 

hope to know sometime just how this is accom- 
plished. Perhaps when I find out it will seem 
simple enough, and the effect only the result of 
natural law; in fact no other result is possible 
for there is not a thing that is supernatural. 

June 1st Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 
8 p. m. We waited for some time for a message 
or some word to be ticked off by the telegraph 
instrument, but no word came. Finally I said 
to Mr. Dallas: u Please step to the instrument 
and call C. S. and w^e will see what the result 
will be." Mr. Dallas did as requested and im- 
mediately thereafter we received the following 
message: "We heard your call. We are fighting 
hard for victory. Charles Sumner, opr." And 
then the following: u To J. K. Wilson: Nothing 
has been impaired since I used you last, and I 
found everything very satisfactory. C. S., opr.' r 
I take it that the foregoing message refers to 
Mr. Sumner's experiment with me on May 30. 
In a few minutes after receiving the last message 
we received the following: "To E. D.: Leave 
your key open for the night. C. S." 

On June 4, Mr. Dallas met me at the usual 
place at 8 p. m. Soon the instrument began to 
tick and we received the following message: 
"June 4, 1894. To J. K. W. and E. D.: Charles 
Sumner says as follows: 'The battle commenced 
at 12:05 a. m. Friday morning. We were in full 
force and caught the enemy napping. After 
fighting for forty-eight hours they gave w r ay to 
our overpowering force and were completely put 



death; the meaning and result. 291 

to route. The position now stands thus: One- 
half of their new force is destroyed and the re- 
maining force is in such shape that it will be 
impossible for them to make another stand of 
any account. We may say they are completely 
destroyed so far as this new force is concerned/ 
Plum Mitchell." In a few moments after receiv- 
ing this message we received the following: 
"Good evening, gents. I am glad to say, we 
have conquered, the enemy is completely destroy- 
ed and we will have a rest for a short time. 
Good night. F. R. S." 

On June 7, Mr. Dallas came to my office at 
1:30 p. m. Soon after his arrival we received 
the following message: "To J. K. W. and E. D.: 
Good day, gents. Everything is so situated at 
present that I am able to spare a few^ moments 
to call and say we are getting along to our en- 
tire satisfaction. I have been here in your office 
for some time and heard you talking about us. 
William P. Shoemaker, opr." To this message I 
replied orally: "Glad to have you here again, 
and very glad to hear such good news." And 
then immediately the following: "I must leave 
you now. Will come as often as possible. Good 
bye. W. P. S." 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Spirits Dr. Shoemaker and Plum Mitchell Present — 
Spirit Telegrams — Spirit Shoemaker Wishes to Meet 
An Old Friend — Requests Wilson to Invite Friend to 
Office — Spirits Sumner and F. R. S. Present — What 
They Say — Kramer Receives Alessage From Spirit 
W r ife — Spirits Entertained Again at Dinner — Direct 
Line Repaired — Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Meets Old 
Friend — \Yhat Was Said — Surprise For Old Friend — 
A Talk With Spirit Sumner — Wilson Introduces His 
Sister to Spirits— What Was Said— To Go to Lily 
Dale — The Purpose — Spirit Dr. Shoemaker to Treat 
Mrs. Murray, 

On June 8, Mr. Dallas reported at my office at 
9 p. m. In a few minutes the instrument ticked 
off the following: "Good evening, gentlemen, 
have been here for some time. W. P. Shoemaker, 
opr." And then, " Everything is very quiet at 
present, still we are making good headway. W. 
P. S." Also, ".We are here to enjoy ourselves 
tonight and can stay until 10 p. m. P. M." In 
response to these telegrams we bade the Doctor 
and Plum good evening, and said that we were 



death; the meaning and result. 293 

glad that they were here, and further said: "To 
show that we appreciate your presence we will 
offer you something stronger than water as a 
symbol of our hospitality. " Suiting the action 
to the words I stepped to the sideboard took 
therefrom a decanter of wine and some glasses, 
placed the glasses on the table and poured in 
each a small quantity of wine. The instrument 
ticked off: "Yiany thanks, John, we feel that we 
are always welcome at your room and banquet 
table. We assure you that it is not the sub- 
stance of the wine you offer which we alone 
appreciate but the hospitality manifested in the 
offering. W. P. S., P. M., opr." 

A few minutes of silence followed this and 
then the instrument ticked off: "J. K. \Y., I want 

you to ask Dr. to come to your office and 

see me. I would like to talk to him about old 
times. You know who I mean. AY. P. S." I 
said: "All right, Doctor, I know who \^ou mean 
and I will do as you request. It will be well, 
however, for you to fix an evening to meet 
him." He answered: "We will let } T oti know 
later on what evening to have him here. W. P. 
S." Some time previous to this meeting, spirit 
Dr. Shoemaker had spoken to me about a cer- 
tain physician in this city with whom he had 
been ver\^ friendly before he passed to spirit life. 
For this reason, and others, I knew to whom 
the spirit Doctor referred in his message. He 
was at one time a resident of Edenburg, Pa., 
and at that time and for some time after locat- 



294 death; the meaning and result. 

ing in Bradford, was at the head of his profes- 
sion, respected by all, and his ability in his line of 
business was above question. During the last few 
years he has had trouble, domestic and otherwise, 
which has so disturbed his mental equipoise that 
by degrees dissipation with its slimy fetters fast- 
ened upon his organism. Spirit Dr. Shoemaker, 
I am certain, knows of his friend's downfall, for 
in a confidential way he has mentioned the fact 
to me. 

After chatting for some time with the spirits, 
Shoemaker and Mitchell, I made the remark: 
"Doctor, there is a picnic to be held at Lily Dale 
on the tenth of June, and I am thinking of attend- 
ing. " Immediately he answered: "No difference 
to us. Go if you wish to." I then said: "Can't 
you, and Plum, and other spirits go with me?" 
He answered: "Not at present, but in a few 
weeks, after the season opens, we all intend to 
go to Lily Dale. This is F. R. S.' idea but I 
suppose I should not have told you just yet. 
As soon as we are strong enough we wish you 
and Mr. Dallas to go there. What we are going 
to do with you there is not for }^ou to know at 
present. William Patterson Shoemaker, opr." 
In reply I said: "Doctor, I am glad to know 
that you have planned to go to Lily Dale during 
the season. I think it a delightful place." The 
following was then ticked off: "Mr. Sumner says 
if we can start where we left off before that 
time, we will be better situated to go on with 
the work and make more progress at Lily Dale 



death; the meaning and result. 295 

than we could by staying here. W. P. S." In 
a few minutes we received the following: "Well, 
I hope you will have a good and pleasant time 
at Lily Dale and safe journey. I know Mr. Sum- 
ner will go with you. Good night, time is up. 
W. P. S." 

On June 15 Mr. Dallas called at my office at 
S p. m. The telegraph instrument had remained 
connected, as formerly explained. Soon af- 
ter Mr. Dallas arrived the following mes- 
sage was ticked off: "Good evening. We have 
been quietly resting since we last met. The 
enemy have given us no trouble of an3 r account. 
Charles Sumner." We replied: "Good evening, 
Mr. Sumner, very glad to meet }^ou again." Then 
the following messages came: "We think the last 
battle we fought is the beginning of the end. 
We are now able to see our way further on in 
the future. Charles Sumner." "Good evening, 
all, I have just arrived from headquarters where 
our work is slowly progressing toward victory. 
Dr. W. P. Shoemaker." "We come tonight to 
say to you that now we are on the royal road 
to glory. We have surmounted many dangerous 
and other problems in the past, and tonight we 
say to you that we have accomplished the end 
to which we have been trying to attain. Prof. 
F. R. S." "You are to understand that all is not 
clear yet, but the worst is over. We w r ill be 
able to proceed with our work. F. R. S." "We 
have to thank you both for the share you have 
taken in the work, and say to you gentlemen, 



296 death; the meaning and result. 

you will be more than repaid for all. For the 
spirit world, F. R. S." "To J. K. W. and E. D.: 
We have been considering it necessary for us to 
take a vacation shortly at some quiet place 
where everything will blend together and with 
your leave we have decided on Lily Dale as a 
truly suitable place. We would like both of you 
to visit there for four or five weeks so as to 
give us ample time to experiment in a few 
directions in connection with our work. We think 
this will give us a fair idea of how we can work 
in harmony, and at the same time be of great 
benefit to all. We would like to hear from you 
on the subject. Charles Sumner.' ' 

In response to this telegram I said: "Mr. 
Sumner, I think your proposition will fit me 
first rate. I do not know just how Mr. Dallas 
feels about it." And then we received the fol- 
lowing message. "You can have a talk on the 
subject after we retire. C. S." Also the follow- 
ing: "We intend to have all of your friends here 
in the near future. We well let you know the 
date so you can be prepared to receive them in 
good style. A supper, etc., just like you Zem 
Zems had last night. Dr. Shoemaker.' ' I said: 
"Glad to hear it Doctor. Bring everybody." I 
will say in explanation of the last message that 
the spirit Doctor's reference to the Zem Zems 
refers to the Shriners who held a banquet last 
evening. Soon the following came: "Well, we 
have nothing further. We will meet you again 
soon. Good night to all. Dr. W. P. S., C. S., 
F. R. S." 



death; the meaning and result. 297 

June 18 Mr. Dallas called at my office at 12 
m. Soon after his arrival we received the follow- 
ing message: "Mr, Wilson, the spirit wife of 
Mr. Kramer has asked me to delivered a mes- 
sage for her. F. R. S." In reply to this I said: 
"All right, Professor, deliver the message by all 
means." Immediately following my answer the 
instrument began to tick, and I stepped out of 
the room so as not to hear the message, as it 
was private. In a few minutes I returned and 
Mr. Dallas informed me that he had received a 
long message to Mr. Kramer from his spirit wife. 
I do not know what it contained. In a few 
moments thereafter I said: " Professor, we 
would be pleased to have you, and all whom 
you care to invite, to dine with us today. " He 
immediately answered: "Thank you. A few of us 
will avail ourselves of the kind offer. We will 
be here at 1 p. m. F. R. S." 

After receiving this message all was quiet. The 
Professor had informed us that he and other 
spirits would be here at 1 p. m., and would dine 
with us, so Mr. Dallas and n^self had nothing 
to do but wait for the return of our expected 
guests. As the clock pointed to 1 p. m. the 
instrument began to tick and informed us that 
a few of our spirit friends were present and 
read} r to accompany us to dinner. We started 
for the hotel and passed into the dining room 
and took seats at the table. We were informed, 
by raps, as on former occasions, that some of 
our spirit friends were present. We finished din- 



298 death; the meaning and result. 

ner and returned to the office and immediately 
received the following message: "We did not 
come today to stay long, so yott will please 
excuse us. Mrs. Wilson, Charier Sumner, Prof. 
F. R. S. and Plum Mitchell had a delightful 
repast and enjoyed it very much. Call us over 
the wire this evening. Good day. P. M., opr." 

At 9 p. m. Mr. Dallas again called at my 
office. Soon after his arrival he stepped to the 
instrument and sent a call over the wire for F. 
R. S. Immediately we received the following 
telegram: "Good evening, gentlemen, I am glad 
you called us. We have a direct line established 
now, so any call can be answered immediately. 
F. R. S., opr." And then: "Good evening, all. 
We are all well here and progressing satisfactor- 
ily. You remember the friend I spoke to you 
about? Please tell him that I want to meet him 
next Friday night. William Patterson Shoe- 
maker. " In answer to the last message Mr. 
Dallas sent over the so-called wire the following: 
"Messages received 0. K. Mr. Wilson wishes me 
to say to Dr. W. P. S. that he will have his friend 
here Friday evening at 8:30. Dallas, opr." 
Then came' the following: "O. K. W. P. S." 
Immediately we received: "Anything further this 
evening? F. R. S., opr." To this Mr. Dallas 
replied by wire, "No, good night. " And then 
the instrument ticked, "Good night. F. R. S." 

June 22, 1894. Two days after receiving the 
last message from Dr. Shoemaker I approached 
his friend, Dr. , on the subject of possible 



death; the meaning and result. 299 

spirit return. I found that he not only ridiculed 
the idea, but did not believe that any human 
being had a soul or anything else that survived 
after death. He was firm in his premises of 
materialism and strongly entrenched in the firm 
conviction that no conscious entity existed 
beyond the grave. When I first began to talk 
to him on the subject he was bitter and pugna- 
cious towards any line of reasoning in a different 
direction than those conclusions so long enter- 
tained b}^ him; in fact his convictions seemed to 
be part of his individuality, so firmly were they 
rooted. By degrees, however, I succeeded in get- 
ting him more reconciled to the possibility of 
his being mistaken in some things and suggested 
that if his experience had taught him that now 
and then as he threaded his way over the plane 
of physical life he had been obliged to abandon 
well settled convictions on the ground of 
mistake or error, why not admit that possibly 
his convictions in other directions might be un- 
sound and not tenable. After we had conversed 

for awhile I said to Dr. : "You have an old 

friend in the spirit realms who has requested me 
to invite you to my office on the twenty-second 
at 8:30 p. rn. as he desires to talk with you." 

Mj t invitation and the way I put it seemed to 
startle him. He looked at me closely as if he 
were cogitating whether or not my invitation 
was evidence of mental aberration, and if he 
had a dangerous lunatic to deal with. I 
looked him straight in the eye and finally he 



300 death; the meaning and result. 

said: "Mr. Wilson, you surprise me; you cer- 
tainly show no external S3 r mptoms of insanity. I 
believe you are honest and believe what you 
say, and I am much obliged to you for the 
invitation. I will be at your office at the time 
and hour you name." The way he said what I 
have just written and the expression on the 
man's face at the time led me to believe that he 
meant what he said. I then said: "All right, 
Doctor, don't forget the date," and I bade him 
good night and left him. This was the evening 
set for Dr. to report at my office. Mr. Dal- 
las had not been informed who was to be invited 
for this occasion. Dr. — -'s name had not been 
pronounced in Mr. Dallas' presence. On yester- 
day I asked Mr. Dallas if he knew Dr. , name- 

ing him, and he replied, "I know him by sight. 
No intimate acquaintance with him." 
Mr. Dallas came to my office at 8:45 p. m. 

At 9 o'clock Dr. came to my office. Air. 

Dallas and Dr. greeted each other by passing 

the time of evening. I then said: "Mr, Dallas, 
this is the gentleman whom our spirit friend, 
Dr. Shoemaker, wishes to meet so we will ex- 
plain to him how this telegraph instrument 

works." We then showed Dr. how the 

instrument was connected and what was expect- 
ed of it on such occasions. He examined it verv 
closely and satisfied himself that there was no 
outside connection. I was happy to learn 
that he was quite well posted in telegraphy, and 
had taken quite an interest in electricity. He 



death; the meaning and result. 301 

informed me that he could not read telegraphy 
readily but could do so to some extent which 
fact I was glad to know for the reason that he 
could read for himself to the extent of his ability 

to read telegraphy. After seating Dr. near 

the instrument so he could see and hear all, we 
were ready for business. We had not long to 
wait. Suddenly the key moved, the sounder 
responded and the machine was talking. I shall 

never forget the expression on Dr. 's face 

when the instrument began to tick without the 
aid of any visible thing about it. His e} r es 
opened wide, his mouth ditto, and he seemed to 
be struck dumb with amazement. As it proceeded 
in its ticking his curiosity increased. A wonder- 
ful force possessing intelligence was in evidence 
before his astonished gaze, addressing itself to 
his sense of sight and hearing. 

The first message was as follows: "Good 
evening, gentlemen. Dr. W. P. S. will be here in 
a few moments. P. M., opr." When the message 

was finished and read Dr. looked startled. 

To the message was signed P. M. I knew who 

that was but I did not tell Dr. for P. M. 

were the initial of an old friend of his. We 
waited for a few moments and then received the 

following: "Good evening Dr. , I am glad 

to see you here tonight. I told my friend, J. 
K. W., to bring you here. William P. Shoe- 
maker." 

I have said that Dr. was surprised when 

the first message was received; but now here is 



302 death; the meaning and result. 

a message ticked off on a telegraph instrument 
by an unseen operator, signed with the name of 
his old friend who had gone to that country 
from which it is said "no traveler returns/ r 
Dr. arose from a sitting to a standing posi- 
tion. He looked at the instrument and then at 
me. He had not, up to this time, spoken a word 
since the instrument gave the first tick in his 
presence. Again the instrument was on the 
move and the following was ticked off: "I know 
it will be hardly possible for you to believe that 
I am here in reality, but I will convince you be- 
fore I am through with you. Your old friend, 
W. P. S." After this message was received and 

read by Dr. he looked at me and said: "Mr. 

Wilson, this is the strangest thing I have ever 
heard or seen. How can I talk so Dr. Shoe- 
maker will understand me if this be really a fact.' r 
I said: "Doctor, talk to him now just as you 
would if Dr. Shoemaker were in the body; he 
will hear you and answer j^ou by telegraphy. "' 
Following this ensued a long conversation be- 
tween the spirit Dr. Shoemaker and the mortal 

Dr. . They talked over old times, and Dr. 

Shoemaker mentioned many things which had 
happened between the two physicians before Dr. 
S. passed to the border land. 
Some time elapsed during this conversation 

and then the following message greeted Dr. : 

"Hello, Doctor, how are you. Awful glad to see 
you. Guess you know me. Plum Mitchell." 
After receiving this message Dr. read it and 



death; the meaning and result. 303 

said: "My God, is this my old friend Plum 
Mitchell?" Well, for some time after receiving 
this last message a conversation was carried on 

between spirit Mitchell and Dr . I think Dr. 

was convinced that Dr. Shoemaker and 

Plum Mitchell, whom he had looked upon as 
dead, were really alive. Following this conver- 
sation this message was received: "How do you 
do, Professor. What are you doing with your 
old bones. Dr. Eddy, of Edenburg." Following 
this a long conversation was carried on between 

Dr. and the spirit Dr. Eddy who were old 

acquaintances. At the conclusion of this conver- 
sation Dr. Shoemaker informed Dr. that his 

spirit mother was present and then a conversa- 
tion ensued between Dr. and his mother. 

The Doctor's childhood da} r s were pretty 
thoroughly discussed I should judge by what I 
heard of the conversation. She mentioned an 
accident which happened to him when a small 
boy, having fell down a flight of stone steps cut- 
ting his head and leaving a scar which he has 
now. Also a spell of sickness after the accident, 
where, and by whom attended, etc. I remember 

one question which Dr. asked during this 

conversation which is as follows: "Dr. Shoemak- 
er, wall you please tell me if my mother has any 
particular mark on her face?" After a few mo- 
ments of silence the answer was ticked off: "Yes, 
your mother has a large mole on the left side 
of the neck near the face. Is that what you 
mean, Dr. ?" On receiving this answer Dr. 



304 death; the meaning and result. 

looked more astonished, if possible, than ever, 



and answered: "Yes, that is what I referred to.' ' 
After conversing with his mother some little 
time, she, aided by Dr. Shoemaker, talking by 
telegraplry, the following message was ticked 
off: "How are you, boys, do you want any- 
thing to eat? Say, Doctor, do you remember the 
stolen soft shell crab business? I know all about 

it now. Ira Hathaway." Dr. began to 

laugh and said: "Well, well, this beats every- 
thing I ever dreamed of." And then he explain- 
ed that years ago in Edenburg he used to take 
his meals at a restaurant kept by Ira Hatha- 
way and for a joke on Hathaway he and one 
or two others had taken quite a large quantity 
of soft shell crabs and several bottles of wine 
from Hathaway's place during his absence, which 
incensed Hathaway very much. Now Hatha- 
way, who long since had passed out of this life, 
was reminding him of this circumstance. After 

this explanation to us by Dr. the following 

was ticked off: Say, Doctor, don't you remember 
at one time in Edenburg that you and I were 
walking along State Street about 2 a. m. when 
we met a girl walking in her sleep clad only in 
her night gown? Plum Mitchell."" After receiving 
this message Dr. said: "Well, well, I remem- 
ber the circumstances very well indeed and it is 
just as you relate it." Then the following was 
ticked off: "Say Doctor, don't you remember the 
times you and I read Shakespeare in our old 
office at 78 Main together for many evenings, 



death; the meaning and result. 305 

and also on one occasion after you had retired 
for the night I woke you up about 2 a. m. and 

told you that Mr. was in a very bad way 

at his home number Cerydon Street, and 

that you got out of bed and went with me to 
the house and we tapped the bladder and reliev- 
ed him of his distress? W. P. Shoemaker." I 
will state in relation to the above message that 
the number of the street and the man's name 
were given in the message but I neglected to 
write them down at the time and have forgot- 
ten them. After receiving" the message Dr. 



again seemed puzzled and surprised and after 
thinking for a few moments said: "Yes, I re- 
member all; it is given in this message just as it 
occurred." 

It was evident to me by Dr. 's looks, words 

and actions that he was pumped about as full 
as he could hold of indisputable evidence of the 
identity of the individuals holding converse with 
him in this way. Some further conversation was 
had and then the following was ticked off: 
"John, we have something to say to y ou in con- 
nection with Dr. which I do not wish him 

to hear. You can tell him so. W. P. S." I told 

Dr. what the message was and then the 

following came: "Well, I think w r e have done 
enough for the Doctor tonight and given him 
something to think over. W. P. S." In reply 

Dr. said: "Yes, I have indeed seen and 

heard wonderful things, such as I never dreamed 
of before. I thank you all for giving me such 



306 death; the meaning and result. 

evidence." After some further conversation Dr. 

bid us all good night and departed. After 

he had gone Mr. Dallas and myself received the 
following message: "J. K. Wilson: I know the 
circumstances which have brought you both to- 
gether, and I hope and trust you will do all in 

your power to assist Dr. . He requires all 

the help you can give him, and by attending to 
his wants you will be rendering me a great ser- 
vice. Do you understand me? Leave no stone 
unturned and perhaps you will be the means of 
lifting an unhappy soul to a position of happi- 
ness. William Patterson Shoemaker. " In reply 
to this message I said: "Yes, Doctor, I know 
to what you refer. I will do what I can along 
lines suggested by you." Again came: "Thank 
you, John; well, we will say good night. W. P. 
S." I wish to say that the physician in the 
mortal form who had the experience just related 
by me, perhaps would not care to have his name 
written in this record. I have not mentioned 
the fact to him and therefore leave his name in 
blank in relating the circumstances. 

Note. Many things were told on this occa- 
sion to the mortal Dr. that neither Mr. Dal- 
las or myself knew of. We knew nothing of Dr. 

's former life or antecedents. We did not 

know that his mother had passed to spirit life; 
in fact, we had never seen her or heard of her. 
We knew nothing of any of the circumstances 
which Dr. Shoemaker refers to in his conversa- 
tion with the mortal Doctor concerning things 



death; the meaning and result. 307 

which had happened and were acknowledged by 

Dr. to be correct. We knew nothing of the 

circumstance referred to by spirit Plum Mitchell 
as happening years ago, or the circumstance 
spoken of by spirit Ira Hathaway which the 
Doctor in mortal form admits to be facts. 

June 25th Dallas met me at my office at 8:30 
p. m. Soon we received the following message: 
"Good evening, gentlemen. I am afraid you will 
not be able to get my call. If so you can let 
me know. I will now go and you will see if you 
can get the call over the wire. Plum Mitchell." 
I made reply: "All right, Plum." In a few 
minutes our instrument ticked off in repetition 
"E. M. D.," which was our call. Mr. Dallas 
immediately answered over the instrument: 
"Received call all right," and then he sent the 
call "W. P. S." Immediately our instrument 
ticked off: "What do you want? W. P. S. is 
over here tonight. P. M." And then the fol- 
lowing: "Good evening. Do you want to see 
me? Dr. Shoemaker." Mr. Dallas then sent the 
following message: "June 25, 1894, J. K. W.'s 
office. To W. P. S.: Nothing of much impor- 
tance but if not inconvenient to you would like 
to speak with you for a few minutes. J. K." 
then the following came: "All right, will be 
there in a few minutes. W. P. S." In a few 
minutes after receiving this the instrument ticked 
off as follows: "Good evening, I am here. How 
can I serve you? W. P. S." In reply to this 
message I said: "Doctor, I have a sister on my 



308 death; the meaning and result. 

side of life who is now on a visit to me in this 
city. She is a Presbyterian, I believe. I am cer- 
tain she knows nothing about spirit return. 
Some time if agreeable to you, Mr. Sumner and 
the Professor I would like to have you meet 
her. Can I bring her some evening to this room 
and have her meet you?" In response the fol- 
lowing was ticked off: "Yes, you can bring her 
here any night you wish. I will tell your broth- 
er and mother that your sister is with you. W* 
P. S." I need hardly mention that my mother 
and brother to whom the Doctor referred in his 
message are in the spirit world. I soon said to 
the Doctor: "Could you bring my sister's hus- 
band, George Murray, who is a spirit, and also 
my brother so that my sister may be able to 
converse with them?" Immediately the following 
answer came: "I do not know if I can do what 
you ask, but you can bring her at any rate. 
Please explain to her our methods and other 
matters. W. P. S., opr." Following this I said: 
Thank you, Doctor, how would Friday evening 
suit for the occasion?" Immediately the follow- 
ing: "I think that will do. Good night. W. P. 
S., opr.," 

June 28th Mr. Dallas called at my office at 9* 
*p. m. Soon we received the following message: 
"Good evening, gentlemen. We wish to postpone 
our engagement for Friday evening as certain 
causes have brought us to say so. Charles 
Sumner." In reply I said: "Very well." I fur- 
ther said: "Mr. Sumner, I spoke to Dr. Shoe- 



death; the meaning and result. 309 

maker when he was here last about bringing my 
brother and my sister's husband here to meet my 
sister; would that be all right?' ' And in reply 
w r e got the following: "Let Air. Dallas come to 
the office some day next week and I will let you 
know. Personally we will explain further at a 
future date. Charles Sumner." I said: "All 
right, Mr. Sumner," and then came the words: 
"Good night." The wording of the last message 
puzzled me somewhat, and I am at a loss to 
know why the Doctor and Mr. Sumner are not 
sure of their ability to bring the spirits of my 
sister's husband and my brother, but they will 
no doubt explain the reason. 

July 2nd Mr. Dallas met me at my office 
at 9 p. m. Soon the instrument ticked off the 
following: "Hope you are both well. I came 
this evening to tell you that a business meeting 
will be held here on the evening of the 6th of 
July. Dr. Shoemaker, Mr. Sumner and others 
will be present at 9 p. m. That is all. I must 
hurry back. Good night. Plum Mitchell, opr." 

July 6th Mr. Dallas reported at my office 
at 8:30 p. m. I had invited my sister, Mrs. 
Murray, to be present and she came before Mr. 
Dallas arrived. I had told her something of the 
phenomena we had been receiving. She was 
very incredulous, and wondered how I could 
believe that dead people could return to earth 
and make themselves known. I did not try to 
convince her by any argument, and up to this 
time had told her but little of my experience. I 



310 death; the meaning and result. 

was anxious to see how and to what extent she 
would be impressed with any spiritual phenom- 
ena she might witness. At 8:50 p. m. the in- 
strument began to tick and gave the following 
message: "Good evening all. Mr. Sumner will 
be here shortly, also the Doctor. They are go- 
ing to make a long call. P. M., opr." 

At the time this message was coming over the 
instrument and immediately after I noticed that 
my sister looked puzzled and amazed to see and 
hear the telegraph instrument ticking with no 
visible person to manipulate it. She also look- 
ed about the room in a nervous way as though 
she expected to see a ghost. I remarked to her: 
"Mrs. Murray, I hope you are not frightened. I 
wish you as near as possible, to treat my spirit 
friends who come here this evening the same as 
you would treat mortals or friends in the body." 
She replied in rather a frightened way: "Will I 
see these people?" I told her that I thought 
not; that seemed to be a comfort to her. Evi- 
dently she had, hereditarily or by education, ac- 
quired a superstitious horror of departed spirits, 
so common among people who do not know the 
fact that a spirit in looks, deportment, contour, 
characteristics and individuality is the exact 
counterpart of what he or she was in the mor- 
tal body, excepting, however, a spirit who 
leaves the mortal body before full stature is 
obtained. 

At 9 p. m. the instrument ticked off the fol- 
lowing message: "Good evening, gentlemen, I 



death; the meaning and result. 311 

am glad to see yon. Dr. Shoemaker.' ' We all 
bid* the Doctor good evening, and then the fol- 
lowing: "Is this your sister?" I replied: "Yes, 
Dr. Shoemaker, this is Mrs. Murray, my sister. " 
Then came: "Good evening, Mrs. Murray, glad 
to meet you." In a few moments the following 
came: "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, I 
am here with the rest. Dr. W. D. Eddy, opr." 
I said: "Good evening, Dr. Eddy, I wish to in- 
troduce to you my sister, Mrs. Murray." And 
the following came: "It is w r ith great pleasure 
I meet any of Mr. Wilson's friends and espec- 
ially r his sister. W. D. Eddy." And the follow r - 
ing: "Good evening, gentlemen. Is this the 
lady 3 r ou spoke about, Mr. Wilson? Charles Sum- 
ner." I said: "Good evening, Mr. Sumner. Yes, 
this is the lad}'. Mr. Sumner, I wish to intro- 
duce to you, Mrs. Murray, my sister." Imme- 
diately the following: "I am pleased to meet 
you, Mrs. Murray. Charles Sumner." And then 
the following was ticked off: "We are here on 
a business meeting tonight and I trust Mrs. 
Murray will excuse us proceeding on our work. 
C, S." To this I replied: "Certainly, Mr. Sum- 



ner." 



Then came the following: "The work during 
the last -few weeks has been progressing to our 
entire satisfaction and I hope ere long to give 
you the order to go forward. In regard to the 
Lily Dale trip, we heard } r ou discussing the sub- 
ject a few days ago. We are of the opinion that 
a few weeks there would be a great advantage 



312 death; the meaning and result. 

to us, not only as a trial, but as experience, 
and we advise both of you to go and spend from 
two to four weeks there. We will give you full 
particulars about the preparations to make later 
on. I feel proud to say that the enemy is no- 
where to be seen, and we have had no further 
trouble with them since our last engagement. 
Charles Sumner, W. P. Shoemaker, Prof. F. R. 
S., P. M., opr." In reply to this telegram I 
said: "Very well, gentlemen, a trip to Lily Dale 
will suit me." Mr. Dallas then remarked in sub- 
stance, that he " would like to take the trip but 
he was not sure that he could make arrange- 
ments with his employer, Mr. Rothstein, to ab- 
sent himself at that time." Then we received 
the following: "I do not think it will be neces- 
sary to rent a cottage for any length of time at 
Lily Dale, although we would probably be bet- 
ter able to carry on our work should we do so, 
but we will leave that to your own judgment. 
I expect that you will go to Lily Dale about 
the end of the present month, but we will not 
commence operations there until you are both 
together. I would like to have you get a new 
sounder and key as this one might not be strong 
enough for our experiments, at least that is 
what 1 think at present. However, we will see 
what Prof. F. R. S. has to say on the subject. 
I think that is about all we have to say to you 
at present. Charles Sumner, opr." Then we re- 
ceived: "I am sorry to state we will not be 
able to bring any of the immediate friends of 



death; the meaning and result. 313 

Mrs. Murray tonight although we knew she 
was to be here, but we hope to do so in the 
near future. Charles Sumner. " And still another 
message: * 'Before going further I wish you to 
give your sister a summary of our w r ork from 
the beginning up to the present time as briefly 
as possible so that she will more easily under- 
stand the work. Charles Sumner, opr." 

I proceeded to explain to my sister as best I 
could w T ho my spirit friends were and along 
what lines and in what manner they had been 
working and communicating to me. Mrs. Mur- 
ray has been afflicted with a throat trouble for 
a number of years and requires great effort to 
speak audibly, the disease having partially des- 
troyed the tonsils and organs of speech. She 
has been under treatment by some of the best 
specialists for a long time, but they fail to cure, 
and the disease becomes more aggravated as 
time speeds along. I said nothing to the spirit 
Dr. Shoemaker about my sister's physical condi- 
tion. In fact it had not occurred to me to ad- 
vise with him about the matter. Being thus 
ignorant of the fact that he had noticed her 
condition I w T as very much surprised to receive 
the following message: "Dear John: I have been 
looking into your sister's case and I think I will 
be able to relieve her. I have been treating her 
for the past w r eek or so, although I do not sup- 
pose she has any idea that such is the case. Dr. 
Shoemaker." 

Mrs. Murrav had become interested as I read 



314 death; the meaning and result. 

the messages I received but when I read the last 
message she was greatly surprised. In answer 
she said: "Dr. Shoemaker, I thank you for your 
kind words and attention. I am sure such talk 
as I have heard here tonight could only emanate 
from good people. I have suffered much from 
my ailment and if you can help me I shall be 
most happy and under great obligations." I 
thought this was a good speech for a skeptic, and 
that it was evident from what she said that she 
was getting over her fear and superstition. In 
a few moments we received the following: "I 
wish her to be placed entirely in my hands and 
to follow my directions. Dr. S." I read this 
message to my sister and without hesitation 
she consented to submit herself to his treatment 
and to abandon any other medicine than that 
perscribed by him. Soon the instrument ticked 
off: "I will have to know first what the treat- 
ment has been up to the present time, and then 
I will be better able to counteract the effects 
and to proceed with her. Dr. Shoemaker.' • 

After receiving this message Mrs. Murray 
explained how she had been treated for the dis- 
ease and showed the Doctor the medicine which 
had been perscribed for her by other physicians. 
After this the following message came: "She 
will see what spirit doctors can do for her in 
a few days time. W. P. S." To this she replied: 
"Thank you, Doctor, I hope you can cure my 
throat." Then came: "We will do our utmost 
to restore it. Dr. Shoemaker." After receiving 



death; the meaning and result. 315 

these last messages and reading them to my 
sister I said: "I also thank you, Doctor, for tak- 
ing an interest in my sister's ailment." He 
answered: "I have not got much spare time at 
present but I will do this for you sake, John. 
You know me. W. P. S." I thanked the 
Doctor for what he had said and soon the fol- 
lowing was ticked off: "This is all gentlemen, 
we will now leave you. We are very pleased to 
have met your sister and hope to be able to 
convince her beyond any doubt of the possibility 
of spirit return. She is welcome to come here at 
all times. Good night. William Patterson Shoe- 
maker, W. D. Eddy, Plum Mitchell." 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Telegram by Spirit Sumner — Spirit Dr. Shoemaker 
Diagnosis Mrs. Muni's Ailment— Wilson's Spirit 
Brother a Prisoner of War — Spirits Mitchell, Prof. 
F. R. S. and Shoemaker Telegraph— Spirit Dr. Shoe- 
maker Perscribes for Mrs. Murray — Strange Device 
— Meeting Prevented by Electric Storm — Dangerous 
for Operators — Dallas' Trouble About Lily Dale — 
Telegrams From Spirit Friends — Spirit Power — To 
Start for Lily Dale — How Brought About — Spirit 
Prof. F. R. S.'s Instructions For Lily Dale. 

July 7, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my office 
at 1:30 p. m. In a few minutes the instrument 
gave us the following: "Dear friends, Dr. Shoe- 
maker told me you were together and I find 
this opportunity of speaking to you again. We 
are resting very quietly before the time of trial 
which is to take place shortly. I have no doubt 
what we have in store for you will surprise you 
somewhat, but it can keep until we are ready 
to divulge the secret. This is about all I have 
to say of any importance today. I will let you 
know later when the next meeting is to be; can 



death; the meaning and result. 317 

tell you on Monday, if Mr. Dallas will drop in 
here for a few moments. I trust Mrs. Murray 
will be greatly relieved by the treatment of our 
friend, the Doctor, and I am quite certain if she 
puts herself in his hands she will be in safe 
keeping and greatly benefitted. Good day. 
Charles Sumner/ ' 

July 7, Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 1:30 
p. m. and I received the following message: 
"Dear John: After looking over your sister's 
case, I find some of the vocal cords entirely gone. 
This is where the danger arises. I will do all in 
my power to restore them but you know r if the 
material is gone it will be very difficult to do 
so; but trust in me. Do not let her know that 
such is the case. This is private. W. P. S." 
I thanked the spirit Doctor for the interest he 
was taking in my sister's ailment. She was 
at this meeting and I told her that Dr. Shoe- 
maker was present. She made the remark: 
"Doctor, I hope you can cure me." In response: 
"We will do our best for you. W. P. S." I read 
this message to her and then received the follow- 
ing: "To J. K. Wilson: John, you know the 
difficulties in a case of this kind, and even if I 
were sure of an everlasting cure I am in duty 
bound from saying so to the patient, but you 
know what I can do if I put my will to it. W. 
P. S." I said: "All right, Doctor." Of course I 
did not inform my sister what was in the mes- 
sage. She supposed it was on another subject, 
and that it did not interest her. In a few mo- 



318 death; the meaning and result. 

ments the following was ticked off: " Well, I must 
go. Good day to all. W. P. S." 

We did not expect any more messages and had 
entered into conversation about what had 
occurred, when unexpectedly the instrument 
began to tick and gave us this message: "To J. 
K. Wilson: Dr. Shoemaker wishes me to state to 
you in private, that your brother, William, has 
been seriously wounded by the enemy and is now 
in their power. We will do all in our power to 
release him but this may take some time. We 
cannot find the location of Mr. Murray up to 
date. Charles Sumner, opr." 

This message tells why my spirit friends could not 
bring my brother here to meet my sister. I am 
sorry to hear of my brother's misfortune. I said 
nothing to my sister about it. Soon the following 
was ticked off: "We will hold a meeting here 
on Thursday night, at 9 o'clock. This is import- 
ant. Charles Sumner, opr." When the last mes- 
sage was being received my sister stepped out 
of the room and I said: "Mr. Sumner, I am 
very sorry to hear of the condition of my brother. 
I know all my friends in the spirit world will do 
what they can for him, and I presume no one 
is to blame for his misfortune except our enemies. 
It is one of the fortunes of warfare. A great 
cause is seldom won without a fabulous price 
and' no doubt my brother will bear his imprison- 
ment with fortitude and heroism and console 
himself with the thought that to suffer for the 
sake of truth is a martyrdom which must make 



death; the meaning and result. 319 

the hosts of heaven rejoice. " Soon the following 
message came: "Well, gentlemen, that is all to- 
day. I am glad you look on the subject in that 
light, John. We will help all we can and your 
saying as j r ou have, places the confidence we have 
in you one step higher. Good day, gentlemen. 
Charles Sumner." 

Note. At this meeting the fact is developed 
that Dr. Shoemaker, having long since passed 
the portals called death, is diagnosing my sis- 
ter's ailment, who is still in the mortal 
bod}^, and promises a treatment and possible 
cure. I am also informed that my brother, 
William Wilson, long since mourned as dead, has 
met with the misfortune of having been wounded 
in spirit warfare, taken prisoner, and is now 
in the hands of the enemy. If these things are 
possible how different the spirit w^orld must be, 
and the condition of the so-called dead, from the 
generally accepted conception of mortals. 

July 12, Mr. Dallas came to my office at 8:45 
p.m. We were expecting our spirit friends at 9 
p. m.; they ha.d set that hour to meet us and 
they had never failed to keep their appointment 
unless unavoidably delayed. We had everything 
in readiness for them. The instrument had been 
tested and found to be in good working condi- 
tion. We had "our house in order" for the recep- 
tion of friends from the border land. Precisely 
at 9 o'clock the instrument gave us the first 
message of the evening which is as follows: 
"Good evening, John. Good evening, Ed. Well, 



320 death; the meaning and result, 

boys, I suppose I can say my say while the 
chiefs are holding a confab. How are you feeling? 
did you get my last message? 0, 1 am feeling bully, 
now. I have got rested up from all our fights. 
We had a devil of a time for a long while but 
you bet they have taken in their horns now and 
you can't get a blessed one of them to come 
within a mile of any of us and they are going 
to keep away this time. I heard the Professor 
say a few days ago that the enemy were licked 
so badly that they would never make another 
stand, and I know what he says is law over 
here, I mean on our side. Well, that is all I care 
to say now. Plum Mitchell." 

In the foregoing message several questions are 
asked. Plum did not wait for us to answer 
them but talked right along until the finish. 
After he stopped telegraphing I said: "Good 
evening, Plum. We are well, thank you. Yes, I 
understood your last message. Glad to hear 
you have recuperated and that you are now 
ready for anything which may be presented/* 
Directly after I had ceased talking the instrument 
gave us this message: "To J. K. W. and E. M. 
D. Gentlemen and brothers: I wish to say that 
it will not be necessary for you to engage a 
cottage at Lily Dale for the work, as I do not 
think we will be able to be together for any 
length of time. Frof. F. R. S." And the follow- 
ing: "To J. K. Wilson. Dear John: I will first 
commence with outside business. I saw my 
friend, Dr. -, whom I met the other evening, 



death; the meaning and result. 321 

up here today. Do you see the wonderful change 
we have made in him? Please look after that lit- 
tle matter I mentioned to you; you know what I 
mean. W. P. Shoemaker." And this: "You 
will observe that we are all here; Dr. Shoemaker, 
Prof. F. R. S., Dr. Eddy, Plum Mitchell." In 
reply I said: "Good evening to all. I hope you 
are well and happy." 
I will state in connection with the telegram in 

which Dr. Shoemaker refers to Dr. , that he 

was in my office this morning. I had observed a 
radical change in his looks, dress and deport- 
ment. He looked bright and contented, his dress 
was clean and tidy. He deported himself in a 
polished sort of way and had every indication 
of a man with judgment, well poised on the 
throne of reason, with a hope, a purpose and 
a plan, What a metamorphosis had taken place 
in him in the past few days. What had worked 
this wonderful change? The question is an- 
swered in the foregoing message. In a few min- 
utes we received the following: "There is very 
little more to be done or said at present. We 
are now awaiting an opportunity to get you 
together at Lily Dale when we will open new 
lines for you. In my opinion we have nothing 
more to fear from the enemy. Prof. F. R. S." 
And then the following: "We will all bid you 
good night, except Dr. Shoemaker, who wishes 
to advise you about your sister. P. M., opr." 
In response we bid our friends good night. Very 
soon the instrument ticked off: "Now, John, 



322 death; the meaning and result. 

about your sister's ailment. First, she must get 
a small collar, three inches wide and about five 
inches long, the outside to be of thin leather, 
and the inside of sponge. Running along the 
center of the sponge, have small copper wires r 
from three to five rows and connected so as ta 
form a circuit; then get a small medical battery, 
sufficiently strong to produce a good current;, 
attach this to the collar so that an electric cur- 
rent will be formed around the neck when it 
is adjusted thereon, moisten the sponge with 
water just before each application; this is to be 
applied about the neck twenty minutes twice 
each day. William Patterson Shoemaker, M. D." 
After reading this message I said: ''Doctor,, 
this is a strange device." He answered: "This 
is the very best I can do. I have consulted sev- 
eral experts on our side of life on the subject and 
this is the treatment they have decided on. W. 
P. S., M. D." I then said: "Doctor I have no 
doubt about it being the best you can do. Do 
you know where I can get the kind of collar 
you prescribe? The answer came as follows: 
"You can write to some supply house in New 
York or elsewhere, explain to them what you 
want and get the collar made to order, or per- 
haps you could get it made in Bradford. I pre- 
sume that Mr. Pomeroy who has a shop and 
store on Pine Street could make the collar if you 
explain to him thoroughly what you wish. I 
knew Mr. Pomeroy before I passed into spirit 
life and I remember he is quite a workman in 



death; the meaning and result. 323 

his line. W. P. S., M. D." I then said: "Doctor, 
thank you very much. I will see Mr. Pomeroy 
before writing to any outside supply house. I 
am glad you spoke of him, for otherwise I would 
not have thought of him in connection with this 
collar.' ' And then the following was ticked off: 
"That is all for the present. Good night. W. 
P. S." 

Note. The day after receiving the message 
from the spirit Doctor in which he advised me 
to get the device for treating my sister's neck I 
visited Mr. Pomeroy and showed him a diagram 
of the collar. He said he could make it and 
would have it ready the following day. I accord- 
ingly called at his place and found that he had 
made the collar according to design in every 
particular. I then secured a small medical bat- 
tery, attached the collar thereto, and all being 
in readiness adjusted it about my sister's neck, 
turned on a slight current, and the spirit Doc- 
tor's treatment was being followed. I observed 
the directions as to time of application, twenty 
minutes each time twice a day. I continued the 
treatment; she experienced a relief at every 
application and in a few weeks she was entirely 
cured of her ailment. The improvment was so 
perceptible from the start, and the cure so sud- 
den, that it was indeed a mystery to me how 
such a treatment was so efficacious, when her 
ailment had baffled the skill of experts for years. 
After the cure I asked the spirit Dr. Shoemaker, 
if electricity alone was to have the credit for the 



324 death; the meaning and result. 

cure. He informed me that it was not b} r any 
means; that while the electrical currents did some 
good, they were in this case employed more for 
the purpose of conveying the substance saturated 
with medical properties, furnished and applied 
by spirit power to the affected parts, thereby 
affording a direct application to the seat of the 
disease. A wonderful thing, and a wonderful 
cure in a strange and mysterious way. 

July 16 Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 8:30 
p. m. We waited some time without hearing 
anything from our friends. Mr. Dallas then 
stepped to the instrument and sounded the fol- 
lowing call: "W. P. S., W. P. S., W. P. S., W. 
P. S.," intending it, in telegrapher's parlance, as 
a call for W. P. Shoemaker. In a few minutes 
we received the following: "Good evening, gen- 
tlemen. The Doctor is not able to come tonight, 
but we will all meet at your office on Friday 
night next at 8 o'clock. Prof. F. R. S." Mr. 
Dallas O.K.'cl the Professor's telegram, and, hear- 
ing nothing further, took his departure. 

July 20 Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 8:45 
p. m. Our friends had made an appointment to 
meet us this evening at 9 o'clock and we 
were expecting them. At 9 o'clock sharp our 
instrument sounded the call, "E. M. D., E. M. D., 
J. K. W., J. K. W." which, in telegrapher's par- 
lance, is the call for Mr. Dallas and myself. Mr. 
Dallas stepped to the instrument, answered the 
call and immediately we received the following 
message: "Friday, July 20, 1894. Good evening, 



death; the meaning and result. 325 

gentlemen. We will not be able to come to your 
place tonight owing to the electric storm in pro- 
gress, but will use the wire. Prof. F. R. S." At 
the time we received this message an electric 
storm was brewing and had every indication of 
being a severe one. Soon we received this mes- 
sage: "To J. K. Wilson and E. M. Dallas: It is 
dangerous to the operators at both ends of the line 
tonight. I will send you only one message giving 
all that is necessary in as short a space as pos- 
sible. F. R. S." On receipt of this Mr. Dallas 
telegraphed to F. R. S. as follows: "All right, 
Professor, we are both at this end of the line. 
Mrs. Murray is present also. E. M. D., J. K. W." 
Then we received this message: "As I cannot 
get to your place tonight we will have a meeting 
on the 24th or 27th at your office and make all 
arrangements for Lily Dale. Remember it is 
important that you shall both go together and 
both be there not less than three weeks This 
will give us about all the time we want to try 
our experiments. I overheard Mr. Dallas say 
that he could not get away for that length of 
time. You must make a way at all hazards even 
if he has to leave his present position. We can- 
not do anything with his employer and that mat- 
ter will have to be left in your own hands. 
Nothing must stand in the way now between 
you and your work if success is to >be accom- 
plished. Other matters of importance will be 
given to you at our next meeting. As we said 
at our last meeting nothing much can be done 



326 death; the meaning and result. 

until we arrive at Lily Dale and are fairly set- 
tled there. Good evening, Mrs. Murray and gen- 
tlemen. Have Mr. Dallas come up to this room 
some time next week and we will advise him 
of the date of our next meeting. Prof. F. R. S., 
Plum Mitchell, opr." In answer to this telegram 
Mr. Dallas telegraphed as follows: "0. K. Good 
night. J. K. W. and E. M. D." 

Several times while receiving the foregoing 
message the current was disturbed by the electric 
currents coming in on our instrument from the 
electric storm that was raging during the time, 
proving beyond question that the instrument 
located in my office had an outside connection, 
though entirely invisible to mortal eye. The 
Professor speaks of overhearing a conversation 
about Dallas' inability to go to Lily Dale at 
the time our spirit friends desired him to go 
there. A conversation of this kind did occur, but 
at the time I was not aware that any of our 
spirit friends were present. Mr. Dallas was em- 
ployed by Mr. Rothstein, at number 7 Main 
Street, in this city, who kept a jewelry store 
and repair shop and Mr. Dallas was not sure 
that his employer would consent to his leaving 
at the particular time desired by our spirit friends. 
A few days previous to this he had been informed 
by his employer that he, Rothstein, intended to 
go to New York about the first of August and 
would very likely be absent for two weeks or 
more, therefore the chances for Mr. Dallas to 
get away, with his employer's consent, at the 



death; the meaning and result. 327 

time specified by Prof. F. R. S. looked very un- 
likely, and to go without his consent would 
perhaps cost Air. Dallas his position. I had 
known for a few days that this condition of 
things existed and at one time told spirit Dr. 
Shoemaker the difficulties in Mr. Dallas leaving 
Bradford at the time desired. I think that is 
what the Professor refers to in his telegram. 

July 27 Mr. Dallas came to my office at 9 p. 
m. We had met on the 24th as our friends had 
said during our communication with them on 
the 20th that our next meeting would be on the 
24th or 27th. They did not meet us on the 
24th so we were expecting them this evening. 
We had not long to w r ait. Soon the instrument 
ticked off the following message: "I hope all is 
w r ell with both of you. Charles Sumner." In 
reply to this Mr. Dallas and myself remarked 
that w^e were well. Following this message came: 
"Good evening, all. Dr. Shoemaker, Prof. F. R. 
S., Plum Mitchell." We said: "Good evening" 
and that \\t were "glad to meet all." And then 
the following: "Before we proceed with direc- 
tions for our outing at Lily Dale we would like 
to know if you can give us an idea of when you 
can start. Prof. F. R. S." After receiving this 
message we had quite an extended conversation 
about the time of starting for Lily Dale. Mr. 
Dallas told our spirit friends that it would be 
impossible for him to leave for Lily Dale 
the first of the month and that he was now 
unprepared to tell them when he w r ould be able 



328 death; the meaning and result. 

to go. His employer had told him that he intend- 
ed to go to New York the first of the coming 
month, to be gone some two weeks or more, in 
which case he (Dallas) would be expected to 
have charge of the store during his absence, and 
for this reason he did not see how he could get 
away before his employer's return. Mr. Dallas 
also informed our friends that he was very sorry, 
but that he was helpless to change matters. This 
left the question of time in starting for Lily Dale 
very uncertain. If Mr. Dallas' employer left for 
New York on August 1st to be gone two weeks 
or more that would consume nearly all the time 
allotted by our spirit friends for Mr. Dallas' 
sojourn at Lily Dale. I am free to confess that 
I could see no way out of the difficulty. Mr. 
Dallas depended on employment for the neces- 
saries of life and he did not wish to leave his 
situation with Mr. Rothstein. We could not 
explain to Mr T Rothstein the importance of Mr. 
Dallas going away just at that particular time. 
If such a thing had been undertaken by Mr. 
Dallas his employer very likely would discharge 
him as a dangerous lunatic. If the writer had 
undertaken the task, very likely, for his pains 
he would have been reported to the proper auth- 
orities whose business it is to look after those 
who are afflicted with aberration, so the dil- 
emma is great. Mr. Dallas insisted that he could 
not see how he could get away before the mid- 
dle of the month of August. 
After discussing the subject for some little 



death; the meaning and result. 329 

time the following message was ticked off: "To 
Mr. Dallas: We can't see any way to solve the 
problem for yon. We wonld like to have you 
both together there as soon as possible. If 
Mr. Dallas cannot go until the time mentioned 
by him that keeps us at a standstill, and we 
are as helpless in the matter as you are. Mr. 
Wilson, you had better go there about the first 
of August, take our telegraph instrument with 
you and we will have to wait for Mr. Dallas. 
That is all we have to say. F. R. S." I think 
the Professor, judging from the tone of the 
latter part of his message, was somewhat out of 
patience the way things had combined to pre- 
vent Mr. Dallas starting for Lily Dale on an 
earlier date. Everything remained quiet for a 
few minutes, then the following came: "To J. 
K. W.: Looking at the situation as it now 
stands, we deem it advisable for you to go to 
Lily Dale as soon as you are ready, and let Mr. 
Dallas follow as soon as he is at liberty, but 
we cannot commence work there until you are 
both together. Charles Sumner/ ' In reply, I 
said: "Mr. Sumner, I will go as you direct and 
will be ready to start for Lily Dale on the first 
day of August and will start then." Then the 
following came: "That is all. We will bid you 
good night. Plum Mitchell." In reply Mr. Dal- 
las and I bade our friends "goodnight" and all 
was quiet. 

I realize that our friends were disappointed, 
for thev had calculated on Mr. Dallas and 



330 death; the meaning and result, 

myself going to Lily Dale on the first of Au- 
gust, but their plans have been frustrated by 
a combination of circumstances which it seems 
they have been unable to control and much less 
by Dallas or myself. 

July 30, Mr. Dallas reported at my office at 9 
p. m. Soon thereafter we received the following 
message: "Good evening, gents. I see Dallas is 
a, sick boy tonight but he will be all right in a 
day or two. Plum Mitchell." In reply we both 
said: "Good evening, Plum. Mr. Dallas looked 
badly, and complained of feeling very unwell 
which accounts for his condition being referred 
to in the message. Soon after this I said: "Plum, 
are others here from the spirit land?" He answer- 
ed: "No, Mr. Sumner, Dr. Shoemaker and F. R. 
S. are busy arranging matters for our outing 
and cannot be here tonight, but I think from 
what I hear that when you go to Lily Dale you 
will have a slick time. Mr. Dallas will be there 
on time and don't you forget it. Plum Mitchell. " 
Soon after receiving this message Mr. Dallas' call 
came over the instrument. He answered and 
we received the following message: "July 30th 
1894. To John K. Wilson, from Spirit Head- 
quarters. We wish you to postpone the day for 
starting for Lily Dale until you hear from us. 
Yours fraternally, F. R. S." Immediately after I 
received this, I had Mr. D. telegraph the follow- 
ing answer: "July 30, 1894, Office J. K. W. To 
Prof. F. R. S.: Your message received. Will not 
start for Lily Dale until I hear from you. J. K. 



death; the meaning and result. 331 

W., E. M. D. opr." "The answer came: u 0. K., 
F. R. S." And then: "Well, that is all. Good 
night. P. M." 

After Plum took his departure Air. Dallas and 
I discussed the peculiar wording of Plum's mes- 
sage and wondered what he meant by saying: 
"Mr. Dallas will be there on time." No doubt 
he referred to Mr. Dallas' trip to the Dale, but 
it had been practically settled before that he 
could not get there on time; then w^hy was the 
matter referred to in such a manner by Plum? 
Well, maybe he was jesting, but up to the pres- 
ent time he has refrained from jesting concerning 
real matters of business and he w-ould hardly 
begin now. If I had noticed this peculiar word- 
ing before he left I would have asked him to ex- 
plain; but as it is an explanation will be in order 
later on. 

August 1, Mr. Dallas came to my office at 9 p. 
m. He had also called last night but we heard 
nothing from our friends. During his stay last 
evening we had quite a lengthy talk concerning 
the proposed trip to Lily Dale. He said that he 
was in hopes of }^et being able to get away much 
earlier than he expected. I asked him what 
made him think so; in repfr in substance he 
said that on yesterday his employer had told 
him that he had almost concluded to defer his 
trip to New York until September and that he 
remarked to him (Dallas) that if he concluded 
to w r ait until September to take the New York 
trip Dallas could take his vacation during 



332 death; the meaning and result. 

the fore part of August. Mr. Dallas informed 
me that he was surprised how things had 
changed, and that his prospects for going to 
Lily Dale early in the month were much brighter. 
He also informed me that during the afternoon 
of today his employer had telegraphed to a Mr. 
Lippman, a young man employed by Mr. Roth- 
stein at his store in Altoona, requesting him to 
come to Bradford immediately, and after the 
telegram had been sent Rothstein remarked to 
Dallas that as soon as the young man came here 
from Altoona, Dallas could take his vacation. 
In substance my reply was: "Well, it certainly 
looks as though you were going to Lily Dale at 
the time desired by our spirit friends," to which 
he replied: "Yes, it does look so, but I cannot 
see what has so changed the plans of Mr. Roth- 
stein; they are so different now than forty-eight 
hours ago." 

At about this stage in our conversation we 
were interrupted by the ticking of the instrument 
and received the following message: "To J. K. 
W. and E. D.: Good evening, gentlemen. I am 
glad to see you both tonight. The Doctor and 
and Charles Sumner will be here shortly and 
then we will talk business. Prof. F. R. S." We 
bade the Professor good evening and said that 
we were glad to meet him. Soon the following 
came: "Good evening all. William Patterson 
Shoemaker, Charles Sumner." And this: "Are 
you ready for business? To J. K. W." In reply 
I said: "Good evening, gentlemen, glad to meet 



death; the meaning and result. 333 

you. Yes, I am ready for any business yon wish 
to submit." Then the following message: "In 
the first place, after we heard your position at 
our last meeting we had to alter our plans some- 
what. First, we commenced with Rothstein, and 
after we changed his mind, which was no very 
easy task, we set to w r ork on the people in Al- 
toona. The young man expected here has been 
sick but will be here tomorrow night. We have 
now arranged all our plans to suit yours. J. K. 
W. can start for Lily Dale as soon as possible 
and we will see that Mr. Dallas will follow as 
soon as possible. You will take the battery, 
key and sounder along with you but will not 
set it up until Mr. Dallas gets there. I wish 
also to say to you in regard to your stay at 
Lily Dale, that no one is to know what you are 
engaged in, and no outsider is to be admitted 
to hear the instrument in operation unless allow- 
ed by us to do so before hand. If you wish to 
admit any person during meeting hours the fact 
must be first stated to us in person. I also wish 
to state that yon are not to make a task of this 
work during your stay there, but have all the 
pleasure you desire, and remember that the more 
you enjoy yourself the better we will be able to 
do so and the more able you will be to work 
when the time comes. F. R. S." 

In reply I said: "Gentlemen, I am glad to get 
such good news and to learn that after all, 
through your manipulations, Mr. Dallas will 
soon be able to join me at Lily Dale." Mr. Dal- 



334 death; the meaning and result. 

las was also delighted to learn that the pros- 
pects of his getting away for an outing were 
bright and really reduced to a certainty. I also 
said: "Gentlemen, your instructions so far as 
they relate to me will be observed and followed 
to the letter. I will start tomorrow at 10:25 
o'clock via Erie railroad for Lily Dale." Imme- 
diately the following came: "All right, Mr. Wil- 
son. Charles Sumner and Dr. Shoemaker will 
meet you at the depot at 10:25 a. m. tomorrow 
and accompany you to Lily Dale. We all wish 
you a pleasant and safe journey. We will not 
meet again until Mr. Dallas arrives at the 
Dale. That is all. Good night. Prof. F. R. S. 7 ' 
Well, the query of Mr. Dallas and the curiosity 
of myself about why Mr. Rothstein had so 
changed his plans in the past few hours, and 
why he was hurrying the young man from Al- 
toona to Bradford was answered and satisfied 
by the message of Prof. F. R. S. relating to that 
part of the proceedings. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

At Lily Dale — How Received — Quarters Procured — A 
Surprise — Dallas at the Dale — Surprised — Prepared 
Telegraph Instrument — The First Telegram at the 
Dale— Spirit Mitchell Explains— Spirit F. R. S. pres- 
ent — Line of Communication From Our Instrument 
to Spirit World — Spirits Dr. Shoemaker and Dr. Eddy 
in Evidence — What They Say — Spirit Charles Sumner 
Present — What He Sa\ r s — Commence Business — Wil- 
son's Spirit Mother Present — What She Says — A Vis- 
it by Spirits Mitchell, Schopperle, Shoemaker, Sum- 
ner, Prof. F. R. S. and Mason — Mason's Message— A 
Visit by Spirits W T illiam Wilson, Mrs. Wilson, George 
Steele, Hathaway and Bethune — Controlled by Sum- 
ner — What Sumner Says — Incredulous Spirit Profes- 
sors — Entertain Spirits Mitchell and Mason — Again 
Controlled by Sumner — Spirit Shoemaker's Assurance 
— Spirit Telegrams — Spirit Wilson Explains His Es- 
cape — Controlled by Sumner. 

Lily Dale, N. Y., August 3, 1894. Well, here I 
am at Lily Dale. I started from Bradford, Pa. 
yesterday morning at 10:25 a. m. and arrived 
here near 5 p. m. the same day. On my arrival 
here I was met at the depot by the landlord of 
the Grand Hotel, or one of the landlords I mav 



336 death; the meaning and result. 

say, as the Hotel is presided over by two gen- 
tlemen, Gregory and Cooke. It was landlord 
Gregory whom I met at the depot on my arrival. 
He came up to me with a bland smile and a 
jolly "How do you do, Mr. Wilson." That was 
nothing strange as I had met Mr. Gregory on 
former occasions and perhaps he saw in me a 
prospective guest for his hotel, and to be smil- 
ing and courteous to all new comers is in his 
line of his business. In reply to his salutation I 
said: "How do you do, sir." He continued: "Mr. 
Wilson, I was expecting you this evening." I 
thought that remark was a jolly, but he con- 
tinued: "Get right in the Hotel Bus here. Give 
me your checks and your baggage will be taken 
care of." I did as he requested. I seated myself 
in the designated bus in which a few men and 
women had preceded me. Mr. Gregory followed 
me in and took a seat beside me, signalled the 
driver to start and away we went towards the 
"Grand Hotel." On the way to the Hotel Mr. 
Gregory said: "Yes sir, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Cooke 
and myself expected you this evening. Our Ho- 
tel is filled with guests. We have, however, re- 
served rooms for you in the Lord Cottage which 
will suit you exactly." To this I replied: "Why, 
Mr. Gregory, how is it you expected me? I sent 
you no word." He replied: "Well, I don't know 
the reason but I would have bet any man, if I 
were a betting man, big money that you would 
be here this evening. So sure was I that I talk- 
ed with my partner, Mr. Cooke, about your com- 



death; the meaning and result. 337 

ing and prepared those rooms in the cottage for 
you. 

I said nothing further. We arrived at the hotel. 
Soon we repaired to the cottage of which Mr. 
Gregory had spoken. I found the cottage to be 
nicely located on a beautiful park facing the 
placid water of what is known as the upper 
Cassadaga Lake, near, or not very far from, the 
Grand Hotel. I saw at a glance that it was as 
pleasant a place as could be found anywhere on 
the grounds at Lily Dale. We passed in the 
cottage, and found two nicely furnished rooms 
with a rear truck room. The furniture was 
matched being chairs and sofas, upholstered plush, 
fine tapestry and rich carpets. The rooms in- 
cluded all the first floor of what is known as 
the Lord Cottage. As we passed into the cot- 
tage Mr. Gregory remarked: "Mr. Wilson, this 
is yours and all its contents as long as you care 
to stay at the Dale." I surveyed the rooms and 
elegant appointments and thought: "Well, to have 
such grand and elegant quarters, is all right 
and desirable, but they will be more expensive 
than my pocket will justify/ ' I thought such 
accommodations would command a high rate. 
I saw, however, that the place and its appoint- 
ments were admirably suited for what I suppos- 
ed my spirit friends wanted. I finally ventured 
to ask Mr. Gregory what the rates would be, 
and imagine my surprise when he answered: 
"These rooms and board at the hotel, and rooms 
taken care of, will cost you $1.25 a day." At 



338 death; the meaning and result. 



first I thought I had misunderstood him and 
said: "Did you say $1.25 per day for the use 
of these rooms and board at the hotel were the 
rates?" He replied: "Yes $1.25 a day to you." 
I could hardly believe then that I had under- 
stood him correctly and in a careless way said: 
"$1.25 per day and board?" He replied again: 
"Yes, those are the rates to you." I did not 
ask him why to me, but said: "Mr. Gregory, I 
will take the rooms at that rate providing you 
will, in a day or two, put another bed in here 
as I expect a friend in a few days whom I shall 
be glad to have share the rooms with me." Mr. 
G. replied: "Certainly, Mr. Wilson, I will be 
glad to do so, and he shall be accommodated at 
the same rate." I then said: "Very w^ell, this 
is my home for a few days at least, and your 
Hotel my mealing place. 

He bowed himself out leaving me ensconced in 
the pleasant^ situated, elegantly furnished and 
superbly appointed cottage by the sea, or rather 
by the beautiful Cassadaga Lake. I took a seat 
and thought, "well, this beats all expectations. 
Am I really here and so comfortably situated, 
or shall I awake from slumber and find the 
seeming reality fading away into the dead out- 
lines of a dream?" All this was yesterday, last 
evening, and if it be a dream I am still sleeping;: 
but I am satisfied it is no dream but tangible 
reality, for here I am this afternoon of August 
3rd. I can't say that I am a stranger at Lily 
Dale. I have visited here before. It is more 



death; the meaning and result. 339 

beautiful at present than ever before, for the 
Association who have it in charge have, by 
genius and wealth, began, where bounteous na- 
ture found a limit, to build up, beautify and 
embellish, until at the present time for grandeur 
and picturesqueness, Lily Dale stands looming in 
her greatness and possibilities the unrivalled 
queen of summer resorts in the states. My bag- 
gage has been delivered here and I feel content- 
ed and at home and I am patiently waiting the 
arrival of Mr. Dallas and a visit from our spirit 
friends. 

August 7th Mr. Dallas arrived at Lily Dale at 
5 p. m. Since arriving here myself I received a 
letter from him informing me that he intended 
to leave Bradford for this place on the morning 
of the 7th, so I knew, barring accidents, that 
he would reach here this afternoon. I met him 
at the depot on his arrival. He looked well and 
heart3^, which I was glad to see. We got into 
the Hotel Bus and were off for the Hotel and 
cottage by the lake. I had said nothing to him 
about the pleasant rooms I had secured. I 
wanted to surprise him, and I did. I ushered 
him into the cottage. He glanced around. His 
eyes fairly bulged and danced with delight. He 
said: "Are these our rooms?" I replied: "Yes, 
and all their contents.'' He walked about the 
rooms, looked at the bric-a-brac, furniture etc., 
and wheeling about facing me he said: "J. K. 
how in the world did you happen to secure such 
rooms? Why it would cost a fortune to occupy 



340 death; the meaning and result. 

such rooms; at least for the use of these rooms 
and board it will cost $3.00 or $4.00 a day, 
and you know I have no money to burn." I 
replied: "Dallas, we have struck it rich. I have 
make a contract as to rates. We have the use 
of these rooms, well taken care of, and meals at 
the Hotel Grand for $1.25 per day each." He 
could hardly believe it. When he had really com- 
prehended the situation he tossed his hat up in 
the air and even made an effort to dance before 
he succeeded in bridling his ecstasy. The ad- 
ditional bed had been placed in the room. Dal- 
las brought his bicycle with him and found a 
suitable place for it in the storage room. The 
appointments were perfect to meet every require- 
ment. 

We finally went to supper and enjoyed a pal- 
atable repast. After supper we walked about 
the grounds. Soon after we began to stroll I 
offered Mr. Dallas a stogie from my stock which 
I had brought from Bradford. He looked at me 
in rather a disgusted way and said: "Excuse 
me, Mr. Wilson, but I do not think it would be 
good form, inasmuch as we occupy such ele- 
gant quarters in an aristocratic neighborhood 
to smoke stogies' ' and taking from his pocket 
two cigars, handed me one and said: " These 
cigars cost a nickel each and even they are not 
too rich for our blood.' J Of course these things 
were said in jest and I quite agreed with him 
and enjoyed the sally. We lit our cigars and 
took in the beauties of Lily Dale by eventide. 



death; the meaning and result. 341 

After walking about for some time we repaired 
to our " Cottage b\^ the Lake." I had heard 
nothing from our spirit friends since August 1st, 
at Bradford. Neither had Air. Dallas, as he in- 
formed me. I had brought the telegraph key 
and sounder, and the battery, as formerly di- 
rected by Prof. F. R. S. I had not, however, 
connected them up. Mr. Dallas and I had con- 
cluded not to connect them until morning. Af- 
ter conversing for a while we retired to be lulled 
in slumber by the merry rlrythm and constant 
swash of Cassadaga Lake. 

Lily Dale, N. Y., August 8, 1894. Mr. Dallas 
and mj r self awoke from refreshing slumber about 
7 a. m. I had rested well and Mr. Dallas said 
he had also. We repaired to the Grand for 
breakfast. That being despatched we came back 
to the cottage and prepared to connect the tel- 
egraph instrument with the batte^. We were 
both anxious to hear from our spirit friends and 
learn if they were suited with our surroundings. 

At 10 a. m. we had the instrument connected, 
tested it and found everything in good working 
order. We took seats and awaited results. In 
about twenty minutes we heard the familiar tick 
of the instrument, and received the first message 
from our friends since our arrival here which is 
as follows: "Well, I am here. P. M." Of course 
we greeted Plum Mitchell with the same hearty 
salutation we would a friend in mortal form. 
Soon the following was ticked off: "I can hard- 
ly believe you are both here together. But the 



342 death; the meaning and result. 

Professor and Mr. Sumner are the stuff, and what 
they can't do I would like to see done. I was 
sent here this morning to look out for you and 
let them know when you are ready for us. 
Plum Mitchell." In reply I said: "Glad to meet 
you here, Plum. Are we not fixed nicely? Just 
take a look at these grand rooms." Immediate- 
ly the following was ticked off: "I suppose you 
take the credit all to yourself. Well, I can give 
the snap away now. We fixed these rooms for 
you and have been keeping them for you, so 
don't put on any airs and think it was all done 
by yourself. Plum Mitchell." In reply I remark- 
ed: "All right, Plum, we know now who to 
thank for our elegant surroundings here. I be- 
lieve in giving credit to whom credit is due, so 
please accept our thanks for the part j^ou have 
taken, also please tell our spirit friends that we 
appreciate their kind consideration. " Imme- 
diately thereafter we received this: "Oh, that is 
all right, John. You know how we feel. Any- 
thing that can be done for your comfort and 
pleasure will be done; you can always rely on 
that. I must now go and report, so good bye 
for the present. Plum Mitchell." 

Mr. Dallas and myself spent the balance of the 
day up to 5:30 p. m. about the grounds. At this 
time we repaired to our cottage, and in a few 
minutes we received the following message: 
"August 8, 1894. Good evening, gentlemen. It 
is a great pleasure for us to know that you 
have both attended to our wishes and are at 



death; the meaning and result. 343 

last at Lily Dale. I trust you will find every- 
thing to your liking and if there is anything 
that you are not suited with please let us know 
and we will see that it is set aright. I cannot 
enter into details tonight as we are not quite 
ready to commence. We are at present building 
a line of connection between the spirit world 
and your key here. As soon as that is complete- 
ed we will commence operations. In the mean- 
time enjoy yourselves to the best of your ability. 
F. R. S." In reply we assured the Prof, that 
we were glad to meet him at Lily Dale, and 
also that everything was to our liking and all 
things suited far beyond our expectations. Hear- 
ing nothing more and taking it for granted that 
the Professor had departed we repaired to sup- 
per. After supper we again returned to the cot- 
tage each lit a cigar and prepared for a chat. 
We w^ere not expecting any of our spirit friends. 
We had chatted for a while and Mr. Dallas had 
just made a proposition to take a stroll, when 
the instrument began to tick and gave us the 
following message: "J. K. W. and E. D.: The 
line is near complete. F. R. S. wishes to see you 
here tonight at 7:30 o'clock. " In reply I said: 
"Very well, Plum, we w r ill be here-at that time." 
7:30 o'clock came and so did the Professor, 
and he gave us the following message: "Good 
evening, gentlemen. I have the pleasure of say- 
ing to you that our line is near complete and 
very shortly will be in working order. Your 
friends Doctors Shoemaker and Eddy are here 



344 death; the meaning and result. 

with me. Mr. Charles Sumner is expected every 
moment. F. R. S." Immediately the following 
message came: "Good evening, John. I am in- 
deed pleased that you are located here. It more 
than pays us for all we have gone through. I 
hope you find everything satisfactory. Is not 
this a lovely spot? I am going to enjoy myself 
here with you both. I do not think we could 
have selected a better or more fitting place in 
the U. S. I am so happy to think that we are 
now fairly under way for success in the noble 
work, and I know as you get further on you will 
like it more and more. We have all prepared 
for you and when we have finished I think you 
will be greatly surprised at the rapid strides we 
have taken in the last few months. Again I 
must express my joy at seeing you both here. 
Believe me, dear workers and brothers, W. P. 
Shoemaker, M. D." Immediately thereafter the 
following message came: "To J. K. W. and E. 
D.: Gentlemen, to say that I am delighted with 
the present state of affairs would be putting it 
mildly. We have worked hard to attain this 
and now I can see the result of fine leadership 
and good generalship. I am delighted to be of 
any service in the work of establishing the great 
truth throughout the world and 1 can only 
quote the words of the noble poet, 'some are 
born great, others attain greatness, and some 
have greatness thrust upon them/ W. D. Eddy." 
And then the following came: "Good evening r 
gentlemen. It is with great pleasure that I 



death; the meaning and result. 345 

greet you both at Lily Dale. There is nothing 
else standing in the way of our success. Your 
friends have nobly assisted us. I must thank 
Dr. Shoemaker personally before you all for the 
noble way he has worked for our cause. Indeed 
without him we would not now be standing on 
the solid rock on which we are to build up our 
work. And I thank you both, gentlemen, for 
attending strictly to our instructions and car- 
rying them out to the letter. Charles Sumner.' ' 
At the conclusion of Mr. Sumner's message I 
said: "Gentlemen, fellow workers and brothers. 
I am so glad to meet you all here at this beau- 
tiful place I hardly know how to express my 
joy. I know I am also voicing the sentiment of 
our friend, Air. Dallas. We are pleasantly sit- 
uated, have elegant surroundings, and know our 
stay here will be very pleasurable as well as in- 
structive. We both hope, gentlemen, that you 
will find everything up to the full measure of 
your expectations, and that you may be able to 
make such progress in the work in which you 
are all so much interested as will meet your 
most cherished wish. This cottage, situated as 
it is on this beautiful lake, and in this inviting 
garden spot, is our home and the home of all 
our spirit friends. We are all brothers of one 
household, united in love, with our whole soul 
bent to the task of doing good to our fellow 
men in this and the spirit world. You, gentle- 
men, are our leaders; wherever you lead we will 
follow.' ■ Immediately came the response by 



346 death; the meaning and result. 

telegraphy: "We all thank you for the senti- 
ment so well expressed. We will do nothing fur- 
ther tonight. Tomorrow morning at 10:45 we will 
all meet here and at that time we will explain 
the further workings to you and the reason 
why we have brought you here, so we will bid 
you good night. Charles Sumner. " We said: 
"Good night, gentlemen/' and our first meeting 
with our spirit friends at Lily Dale was a thing 
of the past. 

Lily Dale, N. Y., August 9, 1894. At 9:30 
this morning we had put our cottage in order 
for the reception of our expected spirit friends. 
At 10:30 the following message was ticked off 
by the telegraph instrument: "Good morning, 
gentlemen. I suppose you are ready for busi- 
ness. Dr. Eddy." We bid the Doctor good 
morning and informed him that we were ready. 
Immediately the following message came: "Good 
morning, to all. What a lovely morning. We 
have everything looking bright and full of splen- 
dor. From this time on so shall your work be 
also. Charles Sumner." And then the follow- 
ing: "Good morning, gentlemen. I trust I see 
you both well and happy after a good nights 
rest. Dr. Shoemaker.' ' I bid the Doctor good 
morning and informed him that we were well 
and happy, and then the following was ticked 
off: "What a lovely place this is, my son. I 
thought at first my friends were taking me to 
another heaven. I am so glad that you are 
going to be able to do so much good. I am 



death; the meaning and result. 347 

very happy and your friends are taking good 
care of me. Mr. Mitchell is so kind to take this 
message from me to you. Mother, P. M., opr." 
Soon this message came: "To J. K. Wilson 
and E. M. D.: Good morning, all. We will now 
commence to explain matters to you. We will 
first talk among ourselves. Prof. F. R. S." We 
bid the Professor good morning and after a few- 
minutes received the following message: "When 
the enemy deprived Mr. Dallas of the power of 
seeing us at all times and under all conditions 
they accomplished far more than ever they ex- 
pected to do, and built up a barrier between 
him and us which has taken us all this time to 
demolish; but at last we are again able to have a 
way clear and from now on you will both begin to 
see us; not very clearly at first but gradually be- 
coming more so each day. The progress will be 
much more rapid with J. K. W. that with E. 
M. D. We do not know how long this will take, 
but we know that the situation and the surround- 
ings will greatly help along, and we expect by 
the time you leave Lily Dale that we will be able 
to talk to you also. When this is completed 
nothing will aid us more and help us more than 
your being able to see us at all times. Mr. Sum- 
ner wishes to test you, Mr. Wilson, every after- 
noon. He will explain everything to you him- 
self. Do not get impatient if you do not see us 
well at first. Remember this work will grow on 
you slowly but surely and I can assure you that 
we will do our best to aid you. Prof. F. R. S." 



348 death; the meaning and result. 

Following this the instrument ticked off: "Dear 
John: I wish to have the pleasure of operating 
on your brain nearly every afternoon. I also 
wish to state that you will now be able to see 
me when I come into the room which will 
greatly help you and me also. Charles Sumner." 
In reply I said: "Mr. Sumner, it will be a pleas- 
ure for me to serve you in any way you may 
suggest/ ' Immediately the following came: 
"Thank you, John. We will do nothing more 
today. We wish you an enjoyable day and will 
bid you good night for the present. C. S." 

August 10, 1894. On this morning Mr. Dallas 
and myself awoke from a refreshing slumber at 
7 o'clock and prepared for the occasion of break- 
fasting. After breakfast we returned to our 
cottage and at 9 a. m. received the following 
message: "There will be nothing for you today, 
so enjoy yourselves to the extent of your ability. 
F. R. S., P. M., opr." 

Lily Dale, N. Y., August, 11, 1894, 9 a. m. 
Mr. Dallas and myself were seated in our cot- 
tage awaiting orders for the day from the spirit 
world. Soon we received the following message: 
"Good morning, boys. I suppose you had a good 
night's sleep and a pleasant walk in the woods. 
Plum." We informed Plum that we slept well 
and were enjoying ourselves generally, and then 
the following was ticked off: "Good morning, 
John, I am here again beside you as I love to 
be. Mother. " I said: "Good morning, mother. 
I am sure I like to have vou with me." And 



death; the meaning and result. 349 

then the following: "Good morning, old friend 
John. Nice place this. They let me come now, 
I wanted to come before. Hope I can stay here. 
How is everything? Will Schopperle." In reply 
I said: "Good morning, Will. I am glad to meet 
you here. I wish you to stay as long as you 
can. Everything is all right. " In a few mo- 
ments the following was ticked off: "Good morn- 
ing, my dear brothers. What a beautiful day. 
We are going to spend the entire day with you. 
Dr. Shoemaker. " I bid the Doctor good morn- 
ing and informed him that we were glad to have 
him spend the day with us, and that if he could 
suggest anything to us which would add to his 
pleasure it would be done. The following mes- 
sage was then given: "How are you anyway? 
I have been kept at work all of the time by 
your friends and now I know what real happi- 
ness is. Mr. Wilson, I wish to thank you per- 
sonally for taking an interest in my welfare. 
When I was more than miserable in the spirit 
world, chance brought me in contact with you. 
Your kind words aroused in me a sense of love 
which attribute had been permitted to slumber 
since my advent into the spirit world. Your 
noble advice to me, and your kindly act in 
requesting your spirit friends to assist me out 
of my unhappy condition places me under greater 
obligations to you than I can express or ever 
repay. You will never find me hesitating in 
expressing by word, act and deed my apprecia- 
tion of your kindness to me. Harvey Mason." 



350 death; the meaning and result. 

In reply to this message I said: "Good morning r 
Harvey. I do not want yott to feel obligated 
to me. I only did my duty, and that I hope I 
shall always be more than willing to do for any 
unhappy mortal or immortal.' ' Then came the 
following: "Good morning, gentlemen. I trust 
you are both well today. Charles Sumner. ,, I 
informed Mr. Sumner that we were both well, 
and then the following: "I wish to have you 
alone this morning from 10 o'clock to 10:30. C. 
S." I replied: "All right, Mr. Sumner," And 
the following was ticked off: "Good morning, 
gentlemen. As many of your friends wish to be 
here with you today I have given them the lib- 
erty of remaining here the entire day. Therefore 
with the exception of Mr. Sumner's appointment 
with you, that is all we have for you today. 
F. R. S." To this I replied: "All right, Prof- 
essor, I am very glad to have my friends with 
me and thank you for being so kind and con- 
siderate to them and to me." 

Immediately following this the instrument 
ticked off as follows: "Among the friends who 
will spend the day with you are your mother, 
Mrs. Wilson, your brother, William Wilson, 
W. D. Eddy, William Schopperle, Harvey 
Mason, George Steel, Ira Hathaway, Mr. Beth- 
une and Plum Mitchell. P. M., opr." After 
receiving this message I remarked: "I am glad 
you are all here, and I wish you to direct me if 
there is anything special I can do to add to 
your enjoyment." And then the following mes- 



death; the meaning and result. 351 

sage: "Your mother and brother wish to stay 
close by you during the day. Whatever you 
enjoy they will enjoy. The rest of us will scat- 
ter over the grounds and pick up any enjoyment 
we may find. P. M., opr." 

At 9:45 Mr. Dallas excused himself and left the 
cottage; I remained. I had an appointment with 
Mr. Sumner. I closed the outer door of the cot- 
tage and waited his arrival. At exactly 10 
o'clock I experienced a disturbance of the atmos- 
phere of the room and looking toward the door 
saw the outlines of Mr. Sumner passing through 
it and into the room. He approached me with 
his accustomed smile, polite bow and extended 
hand as though in the act of shaking hands. I 
met him, extended my right hand, which came 
in contact with his, and as I did so I felt that 
peculiar electric sensation coursing from my hand 
up my arm to the shoulder. I said: "Good morn- 
ing, Mr. Sumner, I am here to keep my appoint- 
ment with you." He bowed and motioned me to 
be seated. I sat down in a chair; he approached 
me, and soon I was again influenced in this 
wonderful way by this wonderful entity as des- 
cribed in previous records. During the time I 
was talking I sensed the fact but did not know 
what I was saying. When I again became nor- 
mal I consulted my watch and observed that it 
was 10:30 a. m. After I became normal I did 
not see or hear Mr. Sumner. At 11 o'clock I 
strolled about the grounds until dinner time 
when I invited all of my visitors to join Mr. 



352 death; the meaning and result. 

Dallas and myself in the noonday meal. I pre- 
sume they did so, though I have no positive 
evidence of it. After dinner we all went our way, 
or at least Mr. Dallas and I did and enjoy- 
ed the scenery and other things as our fancy 
directed us. 

At 5 p. m. Mr. Dallas and I repaired to our 
cottage and soon thereafter received the follow- 
ing message: "Well, John, your friends wish me 
to say for them that they had a delightful time. 
They all reluctantly bid you good bye for the 
present except your mother and Plum Mitchell 
who will go to supper with you. Mr. Sumner 
and Prof. F. R. S. will give you further orders 
in the morning after breakfast. Your mother 
and Plum will not return to the cottage after 
supper but will repair to their spirit homes. P. 
M., opr." I replied: "Well, friends, I will bid 
you good bye for the present. I am glad you 
enjoyed your visit. I am sure I enjoyed having 
you with me. Come again as soon as you can." 
Soon after this Mr. Dallas and myself went to 
supper at the Hotel Grand. I presume my mother 
and my friend Mitchell were our guests at sup- 
per. We heard nothing further from them, how- 
ever. So passed the day with added evidence of 
spirit return and their natural ways as human 
entities, possessing love and consideration for 
their kind in mortal form. 

Lily Dale, N. Y., August 12, 1894. Mr. Dallas 
and myself felt refreshed this morning by a good 
night's rest. We went to breakfast at 8:15 a. 



death; the meaning and result. 353 

m. After breakfast we repaired to our cottage 
for orders during the day. They came at 9 a. 
m. in the following message over the telegraph 
instrument: "Good morning, gentlemen. Mr. 
Charles Sumner will be here from 10:30 until 11 
o'clock. Others after dinner. C. S. wishes to 
be alone with J. K. W. at 10:30. H. M." We 
bid Harvey good morning, and then I replied: 
"All right, we are here to obey orders and keep 
appointments." At 10 o'clock Mr. Dallas excus- 
ed himself and left the cottage. I was left alone 
to await the arrival of that great, kind and 
good spirit from the world of souls. I closed 
the outside doors of the cottage so there would 
be no intrusions by spirits in mortal form. At 
10:15 I took a seat in the front room, facing 
the outer door. I had my watch laying on the 
table close at hand. Exactly as the hands point- 
ed to 10:30 I heard a slight rustling near the 
outer door. I looked and there I could see the 
form of a tall gentlemen whose contour denoted 
a man of distinguishment. He was not a strang- 
er to me. I had met him before under similar 
circumstances. I recognized him as my spirit 
friend Charles Sumner. I arose from my seat 
and extended my right hand. He approached 
me and reached out his hand toward mine which 
1 had extended and the spirit and mortal hands 
came in contact with each other. I felt the 
electric tingle passing up my arm as the two 
hands touched. He bowed very politely but 
said nothing so far as I heard. He motioned 



354 death; the meaning and result. 

me to be seated and I complied. He stepped up 
to the side of my chair and that peculiar thrill 
which I have before described swept over my 
form. I arose from my seat and as I did so I 
lost sight of Mr. Sumner. I began to talk, but 
what I said I do not know and perhaps never 
will know. All at once I stopped talking and 
resumed my sitting posture. As I did so I again 
beheld the familiar form of my spirit friend. He 
was facing me and seemed to be looking me 
over carefully. Soon he stepped to the outer 
door which still remained closed and bowed him- 
self out of the room. I consulted my watch at 
this time and observed that it was 11:10 o'clock. 
Again Mr. Sumner had come and gone in that 
strange and incomprehensible manner. I felt no 
inconvenience from my experience and soon left 
the cottage. 

At 2 p. m. Mr. Dallas met me at the cottage 
and in a few moments we received the following 
message: "To J. K. Wilson: As I know you 
already understand, I wish to test you for our 
friends on my side of life. Today, John, I had 
five hundred of our most learned spirits here. I 
have to demonstrate to them the philosophy of 
this work before tney will aid me in the future. 
You have no idea of the work we have to go 
through before we can complete all arrangements 
and start out on the work. It is as difficult for 
the Professors on our side to understand as it 
is for some on your side of life. As I say, with 
their aid we will be a power of powers, able to 



death; the meaning and result. 355 

convince the world. That is my reason for mak- 
ing the appointment with you, and do not wish 
Mr. Dallas to be present as his presence might 
be a barrier to some of our people; but in the near 
future I hope both of you will be present and be 
able to remember what I say, although perhaps 
a little deep for you at first, but I must be up 
with the times over here and our people are 
much further advanced in this life than you are. 
Charles Sumner." After waiting for some time 
and hearing nothing further Mr. Dallas and my- 
self left the cottage and sauntered about the 
grounds. , 

At 5:30 p. m. we were again at our cottage 
and soon thereafter received the following mes- 
sage: "We will be pleased to take supper with 
you. After supper we will retire, having spent 
a very enjoyable day among you. Charles Sum- 
ner, Prof. F. R. S., W. D. Eddy, W. P. Shoe- 
maker." In reply to this I said: "Glad to have 
you take supper w r ith us, gentlemen." At 6 o'clock 
Air. Dallas and I repaired to the Hotel and par- 
took of supper. I have no doubt that our 
friends accompanied us; if they did, however, 
none of them were seen or heard. After supper 
we went to the cottage and soon the instrument 
ticked off the following: "Harvey and I will be 
with you tonight. Plum Mitchell." In reply I 
said: "Hello, Plum, glad to have you wdthus." 
And then the following came: "Well, boys, have 
you got through with supper? What are you 
going to do to night? Any fun? H. M." Mr. 



356 death; the meaning and result. 

Dallas and I bid Harvey good evening and then 
I said: "We will try and entertain you to the 
best of our ability/ ' and afterwards, I can say 
that I am certain we did as we promised. 

Lily Dale, N. Y., August 13, 1894. After break- 
fast Mr. Dallas and myself returned to the cot- 
tage. At 9 a. m. the instrument ticked off the 
following: "To J. K. Wilson: Mr. Sumner wishes 
to be with you this morning from 10:30 to 11. 
After dinner call us up. H. M." In reply to 
this I said: "All right, Harvey, we will do as 
you direct." At 10:15 o'clock Mr. Dallas excused 
himself and I remained in the cottage to keep my 
engagement with Mr. Sumner. I closed the outer 
door, took a seat facing the front door, placing 
my watch on a table near by. At 10:30 sharp 
I heard a slight commotion near the outer door 
and the familiar form of Charles Sumner imme- 
diately came through it. He approached me 
before I could rise from my chair extended his 
right hand which I took in mine. Very soon I 
had the same sensation as formerly. I talked 
just thirty minutes by my watch. Again I 
became normal and Mr. S. bowed out as usual. 
After dinner Mr. Dallas and I met at the cottage. 
Mr. Dallas stepped to the telegraph instrument 
and sounded thereon, "H. M." Very soon the 
following came in response to the call. "To J. 
K. Wilson: There is nothing of importance 
today. We are now waiting for Mr. Sumner. 
He will be ready tomorrow. H. M." 

Lily Dale, N. Y., August 14, 1894. At 9 o'clock 



death; the meaning and result. 357 

this morning the instrument ticked off the fol- 
lowing message: "To J. K. W.: Mr. Sumner will 
be with you at 10:30 for half an hour. After 
dinner about 3 p. m. be at the cottage. H. M." 
At 10:30 Mr. Sumner was on hand. I had the 
same experience from start to finish with Mr. 
Sumner toda}^ as on yesterday. At 3 p. m. Mr. 
Dallas and I met at the cottage. Soon after 
meeting we received the following message via 
the instrument: "To J. K. W. and E. D.: Good 
afternoon, gentlemen. I trust you have passed 
the day pleasantly. We are now preparing new 
work for you which we will give you when com- 
plete. We intended to explain to you this even- 
ing, but on consideration of other spirits we will 
hold back from you until we are all ready. Mr. 
Sumner is working very satisfactorily with J. 
K. W. and ere long will have him under his entire 
control. This pleases us very much, indeed, more 
so than any other branch of our work. I have 
nothing more to say at present and will bid you 
good day. Prof. F. R. S." 

Lily Dale, N. Y., August 15, 1894. At 9 a. m. 
we received the following: "Good morning, gen- 
tlemen, hope you are both well. W. P. S." We 
bade the Doctor good morning and informed 
him that we were both well. I then said: "Dr. 
Shoemaker, how are our friends progressing in 
the work?" In response the following came: 
"Dear John: As far as I can see or hear I am 
sure that every branch of the work is progress- 
ing very satisfactorily indeed. Of course this 



358 death; the meaning and result. 

experiment of bringing you here has been success- 
ful far beyond what we expected and we have 
succeeded in our endeavors to see what such 
results would naturally bring forth so far. I 
know what is to take place in the future but I 
am not at liberty to tell, but, dear brother, 
remember if we are slow we are sure and cannot 
fail, no never. William Patterson Shoemaker, 
M. D., H. M., opr." 

After receiving this message I inquired of the 
Doctor when Mr. Dallas would regain his power 
of seeing spirits. Immediately the answer came: 
"That I am unable to say at present as we are 
working on other lines for the time being and 
do not require his power just now. But I think 
before long he will regain all he has lost. W. 
P. S., H. M., opr." After receiving this answer 
I inquired of the Doctor how Mr. Sumner was 
progressing in his work with me. He replied: 
"Mr. Sumner says that with a little more confi- 
dence on your side you will be a perfect instru- 
ment in his hands. W. P. S., H. M., opr." To 
this I replied: "Then you see progress all along 
the line." He answered: "I see a great improve- 
ment and I can say in confidence to you that 
within a month from now you will be able to see 
me just as well as you did on your side of life. W. 
P. S., H. M., opr." And then the following: "I 
shall be here about the grounds most of the day. 
I will meet you here at the cottage after supper. 
W. P. S., H. M., opr." 

After supper, about 7 o'clock, we received the 



death; the meaning and result. 359 

following message: "How do you do this even- 
ing, boys? I hope you are having lots of fun 
and resting peacefully. We are again hard at 
work but will be able to spend a part of the 
day with you tomorrow. Trust you will have 
a pleasant time tonight. W. P. S." In reply I 
said: "Well, Doctor, we hope you enjoyed the 
day." The answer came as follows: "I have en- 
joyed the day very pleasantly indeed, and I wish 
I could stay with you until the dance begins but 
I will have to go trusting I may be able to 
spend many such days. Good night. W. P. S." 

Note. In the last message the spirit Doctor 
says: "I wish I could stay with you until the 
dance begins/ ' etc. No doubt he refers in his 
his message to a dance to be given at the public 
Auditorium later in the evening which pleasure is 
indulged quite often at this summer resort. 

Lily Dale, N. Y., August 16, 1894. At 9 a. m. 
we received the following message: "Good morn- 
ing, gentlemen. Nothing on hand this morning. 
Call us on your instrument after dinner. Charles 
Sumner." At 10:30 a. m. the instrument ticked 
off the followiug: "Good morning, gentlemen, 
At 2:30 today Mr. Sumner, Dr. Shoemaker, Dr. 
Eddy, Plum Mitchell and myself, along with your 
brother, mother and nephew, will be with you 
to spend the day and have a talk with you on 
matters in connection with the work and I think 
both of you will be able to see some of us. Prof. 
F.R. S., H. M., opr." 

At 2:30 p. m. Mr. Dallas and myself met at the 



360 death; the meaning and result. 

cottage at which time the following message was 
ticked off: "Hello, boys. How is everything? 
Got along in fine shape last night. The Doctor 
and Harvey may be with you tonight. Answer. 
Plum." By the wording of this message it was 
evident that Plum was not present but operat- 
ing at the other end of the line, therefore Mr. 
Dallas sent the following telegram to him: "To 
P. M.: If Doctor and Harvey spend the evening 
with us we will see that they are entertained in 
good shape. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." In 
a few minutes we received the following mes- 
sage: "J. K. W. and E. M. D.: Good afternoon, 
to you both. I am coming over to bask in your 
sublime atmosphere this afternoon. How is that? 
suitable to you? W. D. Eddy." It is evident by 
the wording of the message that Dr. Eddy 
was not at the cottage, but somewhere along 
the line and was sending the message to us over 
the wire from his station. In answer to Eddy's 
message I had Mr. Dallas sent the following: 
To W. D. E.: Good day. Glad to hear you are 
coming here today. Will do all we can to make 
it pleasant for you. Come. J. K. W., E. M. D., 
opr." 

Soon after sending this message we received 
the following message: "Gentlemen: Mr. Sumner 
wishes me to state that between two and three 
he will be with you. He wishes to have J. K. W. 
alone during that time. Some new feature he is 
to try. Prof. F. R. S." Mr. Dallas answered 
back by instrument as follows: "Prof. F. R. S.: 



death; the meaning and result. 361 

All right. Will be glad to meet Mr. Sumner at 
the time mentioned. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." 
Then the following came: "How are yon, broth- 
ers, I will be at liberty this evening if our friends 
have no meeting. I will know by supper time. 
W. P. S., H. M., opr." Soon the following 
message: "To J. K. W. and E. M. D.: Mr. S. 
and I will be with you at supper this evening if 
we can spare the time. Please call us up over 
the w r ire just before supper time and we will let 
you know then if we can come. Prof. F. R. S., 
H. M., opr." And then the following: "Well, 
gentlemen, Dr. Shoemaker, Mr. Sumner, Dr. Ed- 
dy, Plum Mitchell, your mother, brother, nephew 
and myself are here. We will all, except Mr. 
Sumner, scatter about on the grounds and enjoy 
the balance of the day to 5:30 p. m. at which 
time most of.us wall return to our homes. Mr. 
Sumner will operate on you, Mr. Wilson, in 
about five minutes. W. P. S., H. M., opr." 
Soon after receiving this message Mr. Dallas ex- 
cused himself and left the cottage. I took a 
seat, after closing the outer door, and waited 
for Mr. Sumner. Soon I observed his approach. 
My experience was similar in all respects as 
those explained on former occasions when he 
operated on me. I talked for about thirty min- 
utes. After the operation I sauntered about the 
grounds. At 5:30 o'clock Mr. Dallas and I 
again met at the cottage. We sent a call over 
the wire to Prof. F. R. S., who immediately an- 
swered as follows: "Air. Sumner and I find it 



362 death; the meaning and result. 

impossible to be with you at supper this even- 
ing will defer the pleasure until some other 
evening. Mr. Sumner wishes me to say that his 
experiment with J. K. W. this p. m. was very 
satisfactory. Prof. F. R. S." 

Soon after receiving this message the follow- 
came: "Well, boys, all your friends wish me to 
say that they enjoyed the day very much. They 
will say good day and come again tomorrow 
if possible. Harvey Mason, opr." In reply I 
said: "I am glad, friends, you enjoyed the day; 
would be glad to have you go to supper with 
us. Come again soon." In answer we received 
the following: "Your friends would be happy 
to stay for tea but cannot this time. Good bye. 
Your friends, H. M., opr." After getting our 
suppers Mr. Dallas and I met at our cottage 
and soon thereafter we received the following: 
"I had lots of fun today, John. A real good 
old time. Sorry I am not going to stay with 
you tonight but shall be busy. Plum." In re- 
ply to this I said: "Plum, 1 am glad you had 
a good time; come often and stay long." Imme- 
diately the following was ticked off: "Thank 
you, John. Good night. Plum." 

Lily Dale, N. Y., August 17, 1894. Mr. Dallas 
and I after a refreshing slumber repaired to the 
Hotel for breakfast, and having done full justice 
to the repast we returned to the cottage. It 
was 9 a. m. Mr. Dallas stepped to the instru- 
ment and sent a call over the invisible wire to 
Harvey Mason who is one of our friends and 



death; the meaning and result. 363 

spirit operators. The call was immediately an- 
swered and we received the following message: 
"To J. K. W. and E. M. D.: Good morning, 
gentlemen. Hope you are both well. Some of 
your spirit friends will visit you today. Mr. 
Wilson's mother, brother and nephew will be 
visitors also. We will be with you at 1:30 p. 
m. sharp. Until then enjoy yourselves as your 
tastes suggest. F. R. S., H. M. opr." After re- 
ceiving this message I had Mr. Dallas telegraph 
a reply as follows: "Glad to know you are to 
visit us today. Will meet you at the cottage at 
1:30 p. m. sharp. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." 

At 1:30 p. m. Mr. Dallas and I met at the 
cottage. We were expecting some spirit friends 
to meet us at this hour. Soon after we met the 
instrument ticked off the following message: 
"How are you all? We are all here. W. P. 
Shoemaker, Plum Mitchell, H. Mason, opr., Mr. 
C. Sumner, Mrs. Wilson, your brother, and 
nephew, George Wilson, are present. Prof. F. R. 
S." In reply I said: "Good afternoon to you 
all. Mother, I am very glad to meet you again 
and I am much pleased to meet my brother and 
nephew. I am glad to meet you all. Please 
suggest in what I could engage to best enter- 
tain you." Immediately the following answer 
came: "Dear John: We have brought your 
mother, brother and nephew here today to show 
them the progress of the work, as they take so 
much interest in it. Prof. F. R. S." And then 
the following message: "You know what love I 



364 death; the meaning and result. 

have in this work with my whole soul, and trust 
that we will be successful in all of us fulfilling 
our duty towards the Almighty Spirit and to 
the whole world. W. P. Shoemaker." Followed 
immediately by this: "Dear John: As we are 
all here together I think that I may say that 
your friends would like to have some wine. 
William Patterson Shoemaker. " I said in reply: 
"Certainly. I am very glad for the suggestion. '" 
Suiting the action to the words I provided a 
glass for each spirit guest, one for Mr. Dallas 
and one for myself, filled each glass part full of 
wine. Immediately we received the following: 
"We all thank you for this evidence of hospital- 
ity. W. P. Shoemaker, H. M., opr." Follow- 
ing, this message came: "My Dear Son: Mr. 
Sumner has again given us the privilege of seeing 
you today. I am happy to be here and will be 
with you all day perhaps. Mr. Sumner is going 
to show us something of the work today and 
what he can do. Mother, H. M., opr." I re- 
plied: "Mother, I am indeed happy to have you 
here. I wish to thank Mr. Sumner for being so 
kind and indulgent to you. I hope you will en- 
joy the balance of the day. I am also very glad 
that my brother William and nephew George are 
here. By the way, William, I would like to have 
you, sometime, give me your experience when a 
prisoner in the power of the enemy." 

In a few minutes the instrument ticked off the 
following message: "Dear brother John: I am 
very pleased to be here again. You wish me to 



death; the meaning and result. 365 

state my experience during my captivity as a 
spirit. Well, some time ago, while we were 
fighting the enemy, I had occasion to advance 
over the line drawn for our safety, and got in 
the hands of the enemy. As they dared not keep 
me a prisoner without consulting their leaders I 
was brought to headquarters and was just 
about to be exchanged for some of the spirits of 
their band when C. Manning found out I was a 
brother of yours, and he at once ordered that I 
should not on any account be exchanged until 
such time as he deemed necessarv. I saw at 
once that all chance to escape was impossible, 
and so I had to linger in their low condition 
until they had their demands satisfied. Now, 
as our friends found out their plan they tried 
hard to relieve me but could not succeed, so 
closely was I watched, and their demands were 
too high for F. R. S. to concede, therefore I had 
to remain with them. Although the enemy used 
me with much consideration, the condition was 
a very miserable one. Our good Dr. Shoemaker 
now took the task upon himself to find some 
way by w T hich I could escape, and one day when 
all was quiet on both sides he impersonated C. 
Manning so well as to decieve the band sur- 
rounding me, and at the peril of his spirit power 
he found me and assisted me to our friends. 
We had much difficulty in getting back, but at 
last arrived worn out and tired at the outpost 
of our friends. Nothing I can do or say will 
ever repay him who risked all for my sake. He 



366 death; the meaning and result. 

is loved by all here and by no one more than 
your brother William." 

Immediately after receiving this message the 
instrument ticked off the following: " Gentlemen: 
Before our friends here I will operate on J. K. W. 
for a very few minutes so they can see for them- 
selves the wonderful » work in which we are 
engaged. Charles Sumner." I replied: "Very 
well, Mr. Sumner, proceed." Very soon there- 
after I experienced the sensation formerly des- 
cribed on occasions when Mr. Sumner controlled 
me to speak. At this time I passed under his 
control and began speaking and talked about 15 
minutes. Soon after I stopped talking the fol- 
lowing was ticked off: "Dear John: I never 
before heard such language spoken by man. 
Will." I should judge by the last message that 
what Mr. Sumner said through my organism 
had captivated my brother, William; and then 
the following was ticked off: "My dear Uncle: 
I would like to say to you that I know of all 
that our friends have been doing for you and us. 
and how happy I am to be one of the band. 
Your nephew, George Wilson." I remarked, "I 
am glad to hear what you say, George." Then 
the following was ticked off: "Well, we have 
nothing more to say just at present. We will 
scatter around the parks and at 5:15 we will 
meet you and Mr. Dallas here. We would like 
to take supper with you but will defer that 
pleasure for the future. W. P. S." At 5:15 p. 
m. Mr. Dallas and I returned to the cottage 



death; the meaning and result. 367 

from a ramble about the grounds. Soon after 
we met we received the following: "My dear son: 
I have enfoyed myself very much and will now 
leave you for the present. Mother, H. M., opr." 
In reply to this I remarked: " Mother, I am 
very glad you have enjoyed the day. Come 
again as soon as possible." And then came: 
"Your brother, Will, and nephew George both had 
a nice time as they desire me to say. H. M." 
And immediately the following: "Well, John, we 
will all say, good afternoon, for the present. W. 
P. S." 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Telegrams To and From Spirits — Wilson Controlled by 
Spirit Sumner— Talk with Spirit Prof. F. R. S. Over 
Invisible Wire — Dallas Desires to Return to Bradford 
— Spirit Friends Wish to See Manifestations — Wilson, 
Dallas and Spirits Sumner, F. R. S. and Shoemaker 
at Materializing Seance — The Result — What Spirits 
Sumner and F. R. S. Say About Seance — Explained 
by Spirit Shoemaker — Dallas Leaves For Bradford — 
Wilson and Spirits Sumner, Shoemaker and F. R. S. 
Visit Mediums. 

Lily Dale, N. Y., August 19, 1894. We heard 
nothing from our spirit friends yesterday. This 
morning at 9 o'clock Mr. Dallas called over the 
invisible wire "H. M." in the same manner one 
would call another over the wires on this side 
of life. Very soon after the call was sounded 
came the answer as follows: "Good morning, 
gentlemen. I received your call all right. Plum 
and I left you in bed early this morning. I will 
see -what the orders are for today and let you 
know. H. M:" A few minutes elapsed and then 
the following came: "Nothing this morning. 



death; the meaning and result. 369 

Call us up before dinner. H. M., opr." At 12 
m. Mr. Dallas again called "H. M." and soon 
the following came via the wire: "To J. K. Wil- 
son: At dinner today your mother and brother 
will be with you. Call us after dinner. H. M." 
In about thirt\^ minutes after receiving the last 
message the instrument ticked off the following: 
"My dear son John: I, in company with William 
and Mr. Mason, am permitted to be with you 
again. Mother, H. M., opr." On receipt of this 
I said: "Good day, mother; good daj r , William; 
I am glad you are here. I wish 3^ou both, in 
company with Mr. Mason, to take dinner with 
me." And then the following: "Thank you, John, 
we will be happy to do so and we are ready 
any time you are. Mother, H. M., opr." Mr. 
Dallas and myself repaired to the Hotel and par- 
took of dinner. We did not see or hear anything 
of our spirit friends during the dinner hour. 

After dinner we returned to the cottage and 
received the following message: "Your mother 
and brother wish me to say, Mr. Wilson, that 
thtv enjoyed the dinner very much. I wish to 
say that I did also. Your mother and brother 
now wish to bid v-ou good afternoon as they 
leave you for the present. I will accompany 
them over. Please call us over the line at 2 p. 
m. Harvey Mason, opr." To this I replied: 
"Well, mother, I was in hopes that you and Will 
could sta\ r during the day. Be sure and come 
again soon. Good bye." At 2 p. m. Mr. Dal- 
las again sounded the call over the line for "H. 



370 death; the meaning and result. 

M." Very soon came the answer as follows^ 
!'Mr. Sumner wishes to be alone with Mr. Wilson 
from 2:30 to 3:30. H. M., opr." Mr. Dallas 
replied over the instrument: "O. K., E. D., opr.*' 

At 2:15 o'clock I was alone at the cottage. I 
had closed all the outer doors and awaited the 
arrival of my expected guest. At 2:30 o'clock I 
heard near the front door that slight noise pecul- 
iar to itself of which I have often spoken. I 
looked in the direction and again I was face to 
face with the spirit of Charles Sumner. He bowed 
courteously and approached near where I was 
seated. As on previous occasions he extended 
his hand, I met it with mine and the familiar 
electric currents passed up my arm. I did not 
hear Mr. Sumner speak. I must on these occa- 
sions, be deaf to spirit voices. In a few seconds 
I lost sight of Air. Sumner; arose to a standing 
position and began to speak. I do not know a 
word I uttered. I ceased to talk and again took 
my seat. As I sat down I again saw Mr. Sum- 
ner. He bowed very politely and passed through 
the door and out of sight. It was then 3:45 
o'clock and I must have been speaking for nearly 
one hour but felt no inconvenience from my exper- 
ience. 

I remained at the cottage. At 5 o'clock Mr. 
Dallas returned and soon after his arrival we 
heard a call sounded bv our instrument for Mr. 
Dallas. He stepped to the instrument, answered 
the call, and we received the following message: 
"To J. K. W. and E. D.: I wish to talk with 



death; the meaning and result. 371 

you over the line. Will be ready in a few min- 
utes. Prof. F. R. S." Mr. Dallas answered via 
line as follows: "To Prof. F. R. S.: We will be 
here to receive what you have to say. J. K. W., 
E. M. D., opr." In a few minutes the telegraph 
instrument began to tick and we received the 
following message. "To J. K. Wilson and E. M. 
Dallas: Gentlemen, I trust you will not think 
yourselves neglected in the fact of our not being 
with you as much as we would like to be. The 
most of the work now remains to be completed 
on our side. We have been considering the pros- 
pect of keeping you here together for some time. 
Mr. Sumner has been to Bradford (Saturday) on 
Mr. Dallas' account, as he seems uneasy in con- 
nection with his situation. As far as we can find 
out he is expected back this week. Xow we 
leave it in his own hands either to remain and 
take the chances of losing his place there or 
continuing here with us. We can carry our 
work on in Bradford although not so rapidly as 
we do here, and there are many things we wish 
to work into before returning. Of course we 
could dispense with them but it would greatly 
add to our success. As it will be some time 
before we are able to have this complete and not 
wishing to have him idle during the intervening 
time we leave it for him to decide. Prof. F. R. 
S., P. M„ opr." 

When Mr. Dallas got permission from his 
emplo3'er at Bradford to take a vacation hi^ 
employer limited the time to two weeks. That 



372 death; the meaning and result. 

time has about expired and Mr. Dallas is uneasy 
about staying here longer than the time allotted 
by Mr. Rothstein. He does not feel like running 
the chances of losing his situation by remaining 
away from Bradford overtime. He spoke to me 
this morning about the matter. After receiving 
this message from F. R. S. Mr. Dallas wanted to 
know what I thought about his remaining over- 
time. In substance I said to him that I was 
at a loss to know how to advise him in the 
premises. I suggested to him to ask the Pro- 
fessor for his opinion concerning it. Acting on 
my suggestion he telegraphed the Professor as 
follows: "To Prof. F. R. S.: Your message 
received. I hardly know what to say about 
remaining here, and Mr. Wilson desires me to 
ask your opinion. E. M. D." Immediately the 
following reply came: "Now, gentlemen, it is a 
very hard matter for me to say what to do in 
this case. If we were like many we would say 
to 3 r ou give us all your time and attention, but 
we want to be open to you on all matters. We 
are not ready yet and could get along with 
you both attending to your duties but better 
if not. F. R. S." In a few minutes after this 
the following came via line: "You gentlemen 
think it over. We will see you soon. F. R. S." 
After receiving this message Mr. Dallas and I 
went to tea during which time we discussed the 
propriety of Mr. Dallas remaining overtime here. 
Mr. Dallas seems to be set on returning to Brad- 
ford in a day or two, otherwise he fears he may 



death; the meaning and result. 373 

lose his position. I would much prefer him to 
stay. I am certain our spirit friends, especially 
Prof. F. R. S., wish him to remain here for some 
time yet. We shall see what time will develop. 

Lily Dale, X. Y., August 20, 1894. After par- 
taking of breakfast Mr. Dallas and I returned 
to the cottage at 8:45 a. m. We sat down to 
make ourselves easy and be ready for any call 
which might come to us over the line. At 9 
o'clock Mr. Dallas stepped to the instrument and 
called "H. M." In a very short space of time 
we got the following message: "Good morning, 
gentlemen. There is nothing this morning. Call 
us at 2:30 p. m. Prof. F. R. S., H. M. opr." 
Immediately Mr. Dallas 0. K.'d the message 
over the line. "At 2:30 p. m. we were at our 
cottage and Mr. Dallas called over the line: "P. 
R. S." Immediately we received the following 
message: "To J. K. W and E. D.: Good after- 
noon. I trust you are both w r ell today. I have 
my answer ready for j^ou now in connection 
with Mr. Dallas. Prof. F. R. S." In reply Mr. 
Dallas telegraphed as follows: "All right, Profes- 
sor, we are ready to receive }^our answer. J. K. 
W., E. M. D. opr." Immecliatehv after this the 
telegraph instrument ticked off the folio-wing: 
"we had a meeting among ourselves last night 
and after taking all things into consideration 
we have decided to say that Mr. Dallas can re- 
turn to Bradford as soon as he wishes. F. R. 
S." In answer to this I had Mr. Dallas tele- 
graph the following: "To Prof. F. R. S.: Can 



374 death; the meaning and result. 

you get along without Mr. Dallas being here? 
J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." Immediately the an- 
swer came: "Yes, we can. We say this to him, 
after much thought, for his benefit. F. R. S." I 
then prepared the following message and Mr. Dal- 
las sent in over the line: "I am glad you can do 
without him as he seems uneasy about his situ- 
ation in Bradford. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." 
Immediately the following came: ''Yes, but as I 
explained to you yesterday, that we would like 
to see some of the workings of other spirits at 
Lily Dale. We^cannot at present do so, but that 
does not matter; we will have other opportuni- 
ties of doing so in the near future. If he could 
only be content and satisfied in his present work 
matters would come much easier and perhaps 
he could have stayed here longer. F. R. S." 

I wish to say in relation to the above mes- 
sage that when we received the message 
from the Professor yesterday in which he 
said, "there are many things we wish to work 
into," I instructed Mr. Dallas to say to the 
Professor "what you refer to as desiring, to 
work into, is of course, Greek to us." Mr. Dal- 
las did as instructed and immediately the an- 
swer came: "One of the things is, we desire to 
see the workings of the spirits here if possible." 
This is the explanation he refers to in his mes- 
sage of today. After receiving his last message 
I instructed Mr. Dallas to send to the Professor 
the following: "I am sorry, Professor, that Mr. 
D. is not contented here. He will be here tonight 



death; the meaning and result. 375 

and perhaps tomorrow night; can't }^ou, with 
other spirit friends, accompany us to a seance 
before we separate and there see the workings 
of the spirits? J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." Imme- 
diately the following came: "We have been dis- 
cussing that among us here. Cannot be with 
you tonight will let you know in the morning. 
P. R. S." And then the following: "We now 
know what we can do with both of you and I 
have to thank you personally for the kindness 
you have shown towards us in submitting to 
this test of ours. To J. K. Wilson. Prof. F. 
R. S." 

Lily Dale, N. Y., August 21, 1894. At 9 a. m. 
Mr. Dallas and I were at the cottage. A call 
was sounded on our instrument, Mr. Dallas an- 
swered, and we received the following message: 
"Good morning, gentlemen. I am glad to say 
to you we will be able to accompany you to- 
night if you can make satisfactory arrangements. 
You had better see to this and let us know af- 
ter dinner. C. S. M I instructed Mr. Dallas to 
reply to C. S.: "Glad you can be with us this 
evening. Will ascertain right away if we can 
make arrangements; will let you know at 11:30 
a. m. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." Immediately 
the following answer came: "Ver}^ well, call us 
at 11:30. C. S." 

After receiving this Mr. Dallas and I began to 
discuss the question as to where we had better 
go on the mission for this evening. Many me- 
diums were on the ground and all the different 



376 death; the meaning and result. 

phases of mediumship and phenomena were to 
be seen every night, if you were fortunate 
enough to have the price of admission. The 
price of admission to the various seances ranged 
from 2561 to $1.00, depending on and regulated 
by the kind and quality each respective medium 

had to offer. During our stay here Mrs. , 

whose phase of mediumship is what is called 
materialization, has many admirers who speak 
very highly of her as a medium, and assert that 
she is able to produce your spirit friends at the 
asking, bring them into plain view and clothe 
them with ordinal^ material, having bodies the 
exact counterpart of their mortal ones long since 
mouldered to dust. In fact, judging by what peo- 
ple say who have seen her and witnessed her 
powers, she is certainly the star actress in her 
line on these grounds. So it was natural for 
Mr. Dallas and I to select her seance as the 
most fitting place to take our spirit friends, as 
we desired them to witness the best. Accordingly 
we called at the cottage to arrange for two seats 
at her seance. I had no personal acquaintance 
with her, but knew her by sight. I rapped at the 

door of her cottage and was met by Mr. ; I 

said that I desired tickets for two at Mrs. r s 

seance this evening. He consulted a small book 
which he had in his hand and said he could not 
say just then if he could accommodate me, but 
that he would let me know in one hour. I left 
her cottage but again called in one hour and 
was successful in procuring the tickets. I paid 



death; the meaning and result. 377 

$1 .00 each for them. I hurried back to our cottage 
called up Mr. Sumner over the line and inform- 
ed him of the arrangements I had made for the 
evening to which he replied: " Arrangement sat- 
isfactory. Will be at the cottage to accompany 
you at 7:45. I also wish to say that I would 
like to be alone with you today at 2:30. Charles 
Sumner." To this I answered: "All right. J. K. 
W., E. M. D., opr." 

2:30 p. m. I was seated alone in the cottage 
prepared to meet Mr. Sumner. He came. He 
never fails to keep his appointments. My experi- 
ence was in all particulars as on similar occa- 
sions. I talked for thirty minutes. Mr. Sumner 
said nothing I heard except through my organ- 
ism. After I quit talking he politely bowed and 
departed. At 7:30 p. m. Mr. Dallas and I were 
at the cottage awaiting the arrival of our ex- 
pected guests. Exactly at 7:45 the telegraph in- 
strument began to tick and gave us the follow- 
ing: "Good evening all. We are ready. When 
you are ready we will follow. Keep perfectly 
still during the performance and no matter what 
occurs during the time we are with you do not 
give any expression to the outer world. That is 
all. F/R. S., C. S., W. P. S. In reply I said: 
"Gentlemen, I am glad you are here for the oc- 
casion. Alter the seance, if agreeable to you I 
would like to have your opinion as to the merits 
or demerits of the performance.' ' Immediately 
the answer came: "We do not know if we can 
discover their methods of working at first but 



378 death; the meaning and result. 

we will do our best to find out all that is re- 
quired of us and give you our opinion. C. S. M 
I replied: "Very well, we will go now." 

Very soon we started for Mrs. 's cottage 

where the seance was to be held. It was near 
8 o'clock when we arrived. We entered and 
found about thirty people there who had pre- 
ceded us. Soon after our arrival we were told 
that we were at liberty to examine the cabinet, 
rooms and their surroundings to satisfy our- 
selves that there were no opportunities for fraud 
or deception by confederates or otherwise. Mr. 
Dallas and I accepted the invitation and went 
on a tour of inspection. We examined the walls, 
ceiling and floor as well and thoroughly as op- 
portunity permitted. We detected nothing which 
would suggest an ingress or egress for confeder- 
ates. The place of meeting consisted of two 
rooms each about fifteen feet square, separated 
by an arch and in the arch were hung curtains 
of black material. The sitters or audience occu- 
pied one room facing the other room which was 
used as a cabinet room for the medium and 
spirits who were supposed to materialize. It 
was the cabinet room Mr. Dallas and I inspect- 
ed more closely. The floor of this room was 
carpeted so we had no opportunity to examine 
the floor under the carpet. Everything so far 
as we could see seemed to be all right. There 
was one door leading out of the cabinet room 
into a hallway. I was requested to close this 
door and lock it and put the key in my pocket. 



death; the meaning and result. 379 

I was also given some sticking plaster to paste 
here and there across the door with my own 
private mark thereon excluding the possibility 
of the door being opened or disturbed without 
subsequent detection. The windows leading out 
of this room were likewise pasted over with 
plasters and private marks; they could in no 
way be manipulated by confederates without 
detection. 

Everything being in readiness and to all ap- 
pearance no possible way for any person in the 
body to enter the cabinet room without being 
observed, the audience being all seated, the per- 
formance began. While the medium was in plain 
sight of the audience, three, or what had the 
appearance of being three forms, came in plain 
view, standing under the arch separating the 
rooms. They could not, from w r here I sat, be 
recognized by me had I known them intimately 
for the reason that most all light was excluded 
from the room. Some of the audience were call- 
ed to the arch and curtains by the reputed 
spirits and held converse with what purported 
to be their departed friends. Some said that 
they recognized them, or some of them, as their 
long since departed. I was not called to the 
curtains, neither was Mr. Dallas. If these forms 
seen by us were spirits out of the body how 
strange it is that they had so much strength, 
coarse body material and such strong voices 
as they were manifesting. If they had confed- 
erates impersonating spirits where were they 



380 death; the meaning and result. 

when the room was examined or where their 
avenue of ingress. I was puzzled as the play 
proceeded. What purported to be many spirits 
made their bow to the audience and then dis- 
appeared behind the curtain. Others more dar- 
ing, and, as was claimed, had more strength, 
came from the cabinet into the audience room 
and talked with different persons in the audience, 
and so the play went on seemingly to the delight 
and satisfaction of the sitters. Mr. Dallas and 
I heard nothing from our spirit friends who had 
accompanied us there, except a few raps soon 
after we entered the seance room. Finally the 
show came to a close. Mr. Dallas and myself got 
our hats, I inserted the key I had in my pocket 
in the door, unlocked it, and without bidding 
any person good bye prepared to leave. How- 
ever, immediately after the conclusion of the 
performance I had examined the strips of plas- 
ter with private marks I had placed across door 
and jamb, also the windows. They were all in- 
tact. Evidently no mortal person had entered, 
either through door or window, since the seance 
began. The query to me then was if what I 
saw purporting to be materialized spirits were 
really mortals impersonating the same where 
did they get in after I had fixed the door and 
windows? That was the question. 

We passed out and wencled our way to our 
cottage. I said very little to Mr. Dallas or he 
to me on the way. I was in a thoughtful mood 
and I think he was also. I was cogitating in 



death; the meaning and result. 3S1 

my mind for a solution of what I had just wit- 
nessed, and I asked myself, "had I really seen 
rits at the seance?" I have beyond doubt or 
cavil seen spirits as I have already testified, but 
the spirits I have been permitted to see and 
recognize were so different in contour, makeup 
and deportment from those I witnessed at this 
seance that it was no easy matter to reconcile 
the difference. 

Mr. Dallas and I walked on in silence, came to 
our cottage, unlocked the door and passed in. 
It was dark in our room, the curtains having 
been drawn over the windows before we left the 
cottage. An oil lamp was on the table in the 
rear room; I stepped to where the lamp was, 
struck a match and lit it. On the table near 
the lamp was a pencil and pad. As I turned on 
the light I glanced at the pad and saw. to my 
astonishment, some writing thereon. I knew the 
writing I had discovered was not there when 
we left the cottage to attend the seance, for just 
before I passed out of the cottage to go to Mrs. 

's cottage I had occasion to tear from the 

pad two of the leaves or flies, and if am- writing 
had been on the pad when we left the cottage 1 
would have noticed it. The windows and doors 
w^ere fastened and locked during our absence and 
everything was, on our return, except the writ- 
ing, in the same condition as when we left. 
Evidently no mortal had intruded during our 
visit to the seance. Then how came the writing 
and by whom? I picked up the pad and called 



382 death; the meaning and result. 

Mr. Dallas' attention to it. It was plain, legible 
and stood out in bold relief, but the writing 
was in a different hand than I had seen before. 
Imagine my great surprise and the astonishment 
of Mr. Dallas, when we read that which was so 
mysteriously written thereon which is as follows: 
"From beginning to end, is, we are sorry to say, a 
willful imposition. F. R. S., C. S." We were aston- 
ished! When I recovered from my astonishment 
sufficiently to express myself I said: "Wonderful!" 
Not only is the way the writing was produced 
wonderful but that which was written. The 
statement and the very emphatic expression was 
peculiar to itself. I wish to say that whatever 
force, spirit or personality wrote the production, 
wrote at the bottom thereof the letters "F. R. 
S.," and following them were the initials "G. S. y " 
the initials "C. S." being written in quite a dif- 
ferent hand than the initials "F. R. S." Another 
peculiarity about this writing is that the paper 
on which it appears is soft and very susceptible 
to indentations, but no impress of pencil can he 
detected. 

We had not long to wait for an explanation 
before the mystery was solved. The instrument 
manipulated by our good spirit friend Dr. Shoe- 
maker soon cleared the mist, and he ticked off 
the following message: "To J. K. W. and E. M, 
D.: You have our answer in the Professor's hand- 
writing. He feels too sorry to stay and say so 
himself. Dr. Shoemaker." In reply I said: "Doc- 
tor, can it be possible? Is there a human being 



death; the meaning and result. 383 

so degraded in the scale of honesty and morality r 
along lines that should be considered sacred, to 
impose on the incredulous people?" To this 
remark the following answer came: "Yes, John, 
I am sorry to sa}' it is too true. Not one dem- 
onstration which you witnessed at Mrs. 's 

seance this evening was produced by excarnated 
spirit or spirits from our side of life. The forms 
purporting to be spirits were the forms of two 
confederates and a dummy. In that way you 
saw three forms at the curtain at the same time 
while the medium was in plain view. While you 
and others were examining the seance room the 
confederates and dummy were under the floor of 
the room. After all was in readiness and the 
lights turned down the confederates gained access 
to the seance room through a trap door in the 
floor. This trap is a triangle in one corner of 
the room. It has hinsres countersunk so as to 
be invisible from the upper side should the car- 
pet which covers it be raised for the purpose of 
inspecting the floor, and the joints are so well 
fitted and matched that it would be difficult to 
detect it from the upper or room side of the 
trap. During the examination the trap is securely 
fastened from the underside. I w T ill give you a 
diagram of the rooms as well as I can if Mr. 
Dallas will take his pencil and trace as I direct 
him by the instrument. W. P. S." Mr. Dallas 
traced as directed and the following diagram 
assumed shape: 



384 death; the meaning and result, 



A& y 


/ i 

CABINET ROOM. 


Door. 






CURTAINED ARCH. 




< 








w 




AUDIENCE ROOM 








OR 








SEANCE ROOM. 


















*^*^ 



o 



n 


*^*. *^^ — ~"~^ — •* 



I wish to state that the diagram so far as I 
am able to judge, is a very good one, showing 
points of interest in the two rooms, and explain- 
ing how it was possible for Mrs. to produce 

the phenomena and wherein lay her power to 
call forth such frisky spirits clothed with real 
material bodies. Evidently she did not call her 
spirits from the "Vasty Deep" as Glendower told 



death; the meaning and result. 385 

Hotspur he could do, but from the cellar under 
her cottage. If this be so this woman is an 
infamous woman, or rather animal, for she is 
not worthy the name woman, selling as she is 
her heritage, capitulating her birthright for a 
mess of pottage. Yea, worse! she is a vampire 
of superstition, who, with yellow poisoned fangs, 
is sucking the life blood from the veins of spirit- 
ual truth; parasitical wretch, feeding upon the 
credulity of mortals who are tiding to reach 
those who have been separated from them by 
the barrier called death; cowardly hypocrite, 
who is counterfeiting the unit value of the me- 
dium of exchange between the condition in this 
life and the condition produced by the change 
called death. If her conduct along the lines she 
has chosen are the result of her own personality, 
she is to be blamed more than pitied; if the re- 
sult of excarnate personalities through pyscholog- 
ical impress, she is to be pitied more than blam- 
ed. It is always well, however, to cover faults by 
the mantle of charity, but then some faults, by 
their protuberance, mar the otherwise graceful 
symmetry of the mantle, and cover them how 
you will, they will show their ugliness still. The 
two X marks in the diagram designate the res- 
pective positions occupied by Mr. Dallas and 
myself during the seance. Other people, about 
thirty in number, being seated about us as 
shown by the dashes in the diagram. After the 
production of the diagram I remarked: "Dr. 
Shoemaker, I noticed one form at the seance and 



386 



death; the meaning and result. 



represented as a spirit appeared very tall. How 
did he raise or add so many cubits to his stat- 
ure?" Immediately the instrument ticked off the 
following: "I am glad you spoke about that. 
That is effected by an ingenious device. Mr. 
Dallas please trace with your pencil as I direct. 
W. P. S." Mr Dallas with pencil traced as by 
directions via instrument and produced the fol- 
lowing diagram: 




death; the meaning and result. 387 

After this diagram was drawn the instrument 
ticked off the following: "The first figure repre- 
sents a shoe worn by the tall form you saw at 
the seance, and the second figure the foot of the 
individual. When the foot is in the shoe it rests 
on the bottom of the inside represented by the 
line drawn from the top of the heel forward. 
That line is twelve inches from the bottom of the 
heel, so that when the shoe is on the foot the foot 
is twelve inches from the floor when the individual 
wearing the shoe is in a standing position. The 
individual who had the shoes on at the seance this 
evening is five feet six and one-half inches tall in 
his stocking feet, and with the shoe on he was 
twelve inches taller making his stature six feet 
six and one-half inches which, as you see this 
evening, makes a very tall person. W. P. S." 

In reply to this I said: "We thank } r ou very 
much, Doctor, for making things so plain to us,'* 
and immediately he answered as follows: "I am 
sure, John, you are very welcome. I am sorry,. 
very sorry, the seance turned out the way it did. 
Well, I must now leave you. Some of us 
very likely will be with you tomorrow. Good 
night. W. P. Shoemaker.'' We bade the Doctor, 
good night and soon retired to dream either 
awake or asleep of the truth so often proclaim- 
ed, that all things, at all times, are not what 
the}' seem to be. 

Note. I had no opportunit\ r of verifying by 
examination what spirit Dr. Shoemaker told us 
in reference to the trap door. The family was 



3SS death; the meaning and result. 

still in the house when I left Lily Dale. I was 
certain, however, that the door was there. Nei- 
ther Mr. Dallas or myself said anything to a 
mortal of what we had been told, or anything 
concerning our experience at this seance. After 
the close of the season the family and medium 
moved from the cottage in w^hich the seance was 
held, and, as I am informed by a Mr. Agnew, a 
very reliable gentlemen, the trap door was dis- 
covered at the place designated by Dr. Shoe- 
maker. This much being verified I have no 
doubt whatever that all our spirit friends told 
us in regard to this seance is true The initials 
F. R. S. I have no doubt is the signature of the 
spirit Prof. F. R. S. and the initials C. S. wher- 
ever the\ r occur on occasions like this are intend- 
ed for the initials of Charles Sumner. 

Lily Dale, N. Y., August 22, 1894. It has 
been decided that Mr. Dallas will leave here for 
Bradford tomorrow at 9:50 a. m. Our spirit 
friends have been informed of the fact. After 
breakfasting we returned to the cottage. At 10 
a. m. we received the following message: "Good 
morning, gentlemen. So this is your last day 
together on the grounds. Well, if I had my way 
about this I w^ould have kept you for another 
week or two. However, I am over-ruled for the 
present. There is one favor I would ask of you, 
if it will be possible for you to do." A break ol 
a few moments occurred and then the instru- 
ment resnmed: "Well, I will not ask it as C. S. 
does not think it right for me to ask for any 



death; the meaning and result. 3S9 

conditions. F. R. S." In a few minutes after 
receiving this the instrument ticked off the fol- 
lowing message: "To J. K. Wilson. Fellow 
worker and brother: I feel a sincere regard to- 
ward you for the noble way in which you have 
assisted us to obtain the results which we now 
have on our records. Were it not for your help 
we could not have seen so far as we now do into 
the future. I thank 3 r ou personally and also in 
the name of our entire band and this much I can 
say, you will be repaid a hundred fold for your 
trouble and present outlay. From your friend 
and guide, Charles Sumner.' ' The instrument 
was silent a few moments and then resumed and 
we received the following: "To J. K. Wilson. 
My Dear Friend John: My heart is too full to 
express my sentiments, at this moment of part- 
ing, concerning the way you have so nobly as- 
sisted us. It is the greatest pleasure that could 
be granted me here, to say to my friends, 'he 
was a friend of mine before I passed over/ I 
told them we could depend on you and my hopes 
are realized. Your friend and brother, William 
P. Shoemaker.' ' 

After receiving the foregoing messages, I pre- 
pared the following and instructed Mr. Dallas 
to telegraph it: "To Prof. F. R. S., C. S. and 
W. P. S. Friends, fellow workers and brothers 
of the spirit world: Your messages of this morn- 
ing are before me and in reply will say that any- 
thing I may have done to assist you in shedding 
light in dark places, or establishing truth on the 



390 death; the meaning and result. 

bed rock of human understanding has only been 
along the line of plain duty. If there are debits 
and credits of obligations between you and me I 
am sure the credits are on your side of the ledger. 
I thank you all on the spirit side of life for the 
great light you have shed into my understand- 
ing, and the heartbeats of joy I have experienc- 
ed by absolute knowledge you have given to me 
of the continuity of life beyond the heretofore 
dark recesses of the grave. J. K. Wilson. " Soon 
after this was sent we received the following 
message: "To J. K. Wilson: Your message is 
before us. We all join in saying that we very 
highly appreciate your sentiments therein ex- 
pressed. F. R. S., C. S., W. P. S." And then 
the following: " Please call us over the line at 
8 p. m. F. R. S." Mr. Dallas O. K.'d this mes- 
sage and the instrument was at rest. 

At 8 p. m. Mr. Dallas sent along the line Prof. 
F. R. S.'s call. In a few minutes the call was 
answered and we received the following message: 
4 'Well, gentlemen, our last orders are as follows: 
E. M. D. is to proceed to Bradford in the morn- 
ing and if his situation is closed, he is to return 
here immediately. You will remain here, J. K. W., 
until September 1. Go around and visit one 
medium or more, and take some slate writing, 
and painting also. Otherwise you can do as 
you see fit. We will be with yon every day, and 
Mr. Sumner will be along with you as follows: 
Friday, first, 11 a. m., Sunday at 5:30 p. m., on 
the following Tuesday at 10:30a. m. and Thurs- 



death; the meaning and result. 391 

day at 3 p. m. We will all be with you at dinner 
on Sunday next, R R. S. and C. S." In an- 
swer to this message we telegraphed the follow- 
ing: "To F. R. S. and C. S.: Your message re- 
ceived. We will observe your instructions. 
Would be glad to have you and as many who 
can accompany us to the dance to be given at 
the Auditorium this evening. J. K. W., E. M. 
D., opr." Soon we received this answer: "Thanks 
for your invitation. Some of us will be with 
you at the Auditorium but will not manifest to 
you further. Good day. F. R. 3." 

Lily Dale, N. Y., August 23, 1894. Mr. Dallas 
and myself rose quite early as Mr. D. was to 
leave for Bradford and it was necessary for us 
to be astir earlier than usual to prepare for his 
departure. We took breakfast at 8 o'clock re- 
turning to the cottage immediately. At 9 o'clock 
Mr. Dallas called over the line "F. R. S." We 
did not know but what something had been 
omitted, and that our friends might wish to 
say something to tfc before Mr. D. departed. 
Very soon the call was answered and we receiv- 
ed this: "Good morning, gentlemen. I trust you 
enjoyed yourselves last night. We were there for 
two hours and enjoyed the dancing. I wish you 
to take the sounder and key apart, and discon- 
nect them from the battery some time today as 
we will not use them until we return to Brad- 
ford with you. All the friends join me in wish- 
ing Mr. D. a safe and happy journey. P. M. 
and Dr. S. will see him home. Prof. F. R. S." 



392 death; the meaning and result. 

On receiving this Mr. D. O. K.'d the message. 
By the Professor's orders it would seem that our 
telegraph instrument had ticked its last message 
at Lily Dale. 

Mr. Dallas, with bag and baggage, left for 
Bradford this a. m. I am very sorry to part 
with him on my spirit friends' account, and also 
on my own. I bade him good bye as the rail- 
road train pulled out of the depot at Lily Dale 
find promised to meet him in Bradford, no pre- 
venting providence, on September 1st or soon 
thereafter. * 

Lily Dale, N. Y., September 2nd, 1894. Since 
the previous date I have been enjoying myself at 
this place as best I could. On August 23rd p. 
m. I disconnected the telegraph instrument from 
the battery as directed by Prof. F. R. S. and 
packed them preparatory for shipment to 
Bradford. I have heard from Mr. Dallas by let- 
ter and he informs me that he arrived home safe 
and sound, and found his situation still open and 
is now at work. Several of my spirit friends 
have visited me since August 23 and Mr. Sum- 
ner met me alone on the dates mentioned in the 
the orders by F. R. S. At my meeting with Air. 
Sumner, my experience was the same as on for- 
mer occasions. I also, in pursuance of Prof. F. 
R. S.' instructions made dates with the follow- 
ing mediums on these grounds for sittings — Mrs. 
Moss, materializing medium, August 24. Mrs. 
Roberts, same phase, August 28. Dr. James, 
trance, August 29. Mrs. Gillette, slate writing. 



death; the meaning and result. 393 

August 30. Mr. Campbell, painting on porcelain, 
etc., August 31. Mrs. Gillette, slate writing,. 
September 1. 

After making these engagements I informed my 
spirit friends of the fact through Mr. Charles 
Sumner. He informed me that he with others 
would accompany me to the mediums and as- 
certain the mode of producing the phenomena, 
if possible, and I presume they were with me 
during the time of each engagement. I kept 
each engagement I had made. I say I presume 
my spirit friends were with me on these occa- 
sions, but I do not, however, know as a fact 
whether they did or did not accompany me at 
this w r riting; if they were with me I did not see 
or hear them. I intend to start for Bradford 
tomorrow a. m., so perhaps, unless something: 
special occurs, this w r ill be the last record writ- 
ten by me at Lily Dale for some time to come,, 
if not the very last. 



CHAPTER XX. 

At Bradford — Spirit Telegram — Spirit Professor Tele- 
graphs—Trouble With Line— Spirit F. R. S. Gives 
Experience at Lily Dale— Trouble With Telegraph 
Instrument — New Battery— Spirit Sumner Makes 
Appointment— Meeting With Spirit Sumner — Controll- 
ed — Intercepted Message— Indicates Trouble — Spirit 
F. R. S. Present— Two Strange Spirits Introduced — 
Newton and Grant— What They Say— F. R. S.'s 
Attention Called To Intercepted Message — Strange 
Proceeding— Spirit F. R. S. Taken Prisoner— Treach- 
ery— Enemy Control and Use Our Telegraph Instru- 
ment — Spirits Mitchell and Eddy Allured — Captured 
— How Done— Spirits Mason and Shoemaker Appear 
— Their Escape — Spirit Telegram — Message From 
Spirit Shoemaker— Enemy Preparing to Attack — 
Reply— Attacked by Enemy— Break in the Room- 
Terrible Indictment — Dallas and Wilson Threatened 
— Enemy Gain Victory — Spirit Mason a Prisoner — 
Deus— Spirits Sumner, F. R. S., Mitchell and Eddy 
Prisoners — Dallas and Wilson Accused — Answer — 
Olive Branch— Refused— A Visit by Deus— What He 
Says— Our Answer — Price for Spirit Friends* Liberty 
— Refused. 

Bradford, Pa., September 5, 1894. I arrived 
in Bradford from Lily Dale on the evening of the 
third with nothing happening out of the usual 



death; the meaning and result. 395 



in material life. I connected tip the telegraph 
instrument in my office, in a manner so often 
described in these records, yesterday. I heard 
nothing from my spirit friends en route from 
Lily Dale to Bradford or since my arrival here 
until this evening. Mr. Dallas met me at my 
office at 9 p. m. and soon we received the fol- 
lowing message: "To J. K. Wilson: Have 
reported to headquarters that you arrived safe. 
Will connect wires up this week. Good bye. 
Plum Mitchell." Plum had come and gone so 
quickly that we had no opportunity to even say 
good evening to him Evidently he was in a 
hurry. 

September 6, Mr. Dallas came to my office at 
9 p. m. and soon we received the following mes- 
sage: "Good evening, gentlemen. I am glad to 
see you back again in the old place. Prof. F. 
R. S." In reply I said: "Good evening, Profes- 
sor. We are glad to be in Bradford again. Did 
3 r ou find everything in good shape here on your 
return?" And immediately the following: "Yes, 
in fair shape. We have some trouble in clear- 
ing the line. Good night. F. R. S." 

September 11, Mr. Dallas and I met at my 
office at 9:15 p. m. Soon we received the fol- 
lowing message: "Good evening, gentlemen. 
The line is now clear and we are able once again 
to proceed on our work unmolested. First, I 
shall give you a statement of how we stand in 
relation to all we saw and heard at Lily Dale. 
As we mentioned to vou before we have cliscov- 



396 death; the meaning and result. 

ered the method they have of producing the so- 
called materialization. In regard to the slate 
writing process, when we arrived at the differ- 
ent houses at which }^ou had engagements, we 
were not admitted, as the spirit friends of the 
mediums on the grounds got on to the fact that 
we were working on new lines and that when 
we had succeeded they would lose their hold on 
the mediums they had at present control over. 
So you see it was policy for them to protect 
themselves. I have not yet discovered how they 
were posted in all the details of the work but I 
suppose the enemy went ahead of us and they 
were prepared for us; so you understand, handi- 
capped as we were, it was difficult for us to get 
at the inner working of their ways, but as far 
as I can see at present each medium has a few 
spirits about him or her and they impersonate 
all other spirits who are called by the friends of 
this side. I paid particular attention to Mr. 
CampbelPs work but as no results were given 
while we were there we had nothing to work on. 
This was the only house we were admitted into 
without a severe inspection on the part of the 
spirit bands. Apart from this, however, we are 
now able to judge what our own work will 
amount to. We are also in a position to know 
what each of you can do and are satisfied with 
the way we work together, and I may say that 
it is the opinion of Dr. Shoemaker, Mr. Sumner, 
and myself that from now on your progress will 
be more encouraging to both of you. Prof. F* 



death; the meaning and result. 397 

K. S., H. M., opr." Mr. Dallas, after receiving 
the foregoing message, 0. K.'cl it via line and 
soon we received the following message: "There 
will be nothing further tonight. F. R. S., H. M., 
opr." 

Mr. Dallas met me at my office on September 
12, at 9 p. m. Previous to this meeting, since 
my return from Lily Dale, each time we have 
received messages from our friends we have had 
trouble with our telegraph instrument. It would 
not work properly. We would adjust it in many 
ways, and all we could do did not seem to rem- 
edy the difficulty. The sounder would not 
respond readily to the pressure of the key, and 
at other times the sounding lever would strike 
and remain stationarj^. Something was out of 
order but just what Air. D. and myself were 
not able to discover. We called the attention 
of spirit F. R. S. to the trouble we were having 
with it and he informed us that he was aware 
of the difficulty, and had come to the conclusion 
that the trouble was in the battery, the current 
being too weak, and he advised us to procure a 
new battery; so on this day I procured a Le 
Clanche battery, connected the instrument with 
it and I should judge by the improvement that 
the Professor was right in locating the difficulty. 
At any rate the trouble seems to be entirely 
removed and so far as I can see in A. I. working 
order. Soon after our meeting we received the 
following message: "To J. K. W.: Mr. Sumner 
wishes to be with you tomorrow at 10:30. 
Plum Mitchell. " 



398 death; the meaning and result. 

September 13, 1894. At 10 o'clock this morn- 
ing I was sitting in my private office awaiting 
the arrival of Charles Sumner with whom I had 
an appointment at 10:30. Exactly at the time 
appointed Mr. Sumner came. The outer door of 
the room was closed and locked. Mr. Sumner 
seemed to pass through the doorway when 
he entered with as much ease and convenience 
as if the door had been open instead of closed 
and locked. He came in smiling in that famil- 
iar and congenial way so characteristic of 
him and approached me with a bow and 
extended hand. I arose from my sitting 
posture reached out u^ hand and grasped 
his. I had the same electric shock or sensation 
when my hand came in contact with his as on 
former occasions. I said: "Good morning, Mr. 
Sumner/ ' but he said nothing in salutation or 
otherwise that I heard. When I said good morn- 
ing he smiled and bowed. I took my seat again 
and he approached close beside my chair. Very 
soon I felt the peculiar sensation creeping over 
me that I have fully described on former occa- 
sions. I was entirely conscious of rising to a 
standing position and beginning to talk, also of 
the fact of stopping and sitting down. That is 
all I do remember. When I again became nor- 
mal I observed by consulting my watch that I 
had been talking about thirty minutes. Soon 
after resuming my seat Mr. Sumner departed in 
the same manner as he came. 

At 4 o'clock this p. m. I felt a feeling creeping 



death; the meaning and result. 399 

over me which is hard to describe, a feeling, 
however, which no doubt very many people have 
experienced. It is almost a certainty or convic- 
tion permeating j^our conscious self that some- 
thing has gone wrong, and that an evil trail of 
consequences are to follow. Such a sensation 
settled down upon me at this time, but I could 
not divine its cause or to what it was in any 
way related. I tried to shake it off but I failed 
to do so. It evidently had come to stav until 
it got good anel ready to depart or until the 
cause was removed. 

Mr. Dallas came to my office at 8:30 p. m. but 
I said nothing to him of the feelings which had 
been about me since 4 p. m. 

The telegraph instrument, to which I have so 
often referred, is in my private office, which 
serves me as a bed room and parlor, separated 
from my public office by a partition. At this 
particular time as Mr. Dallas and myself stepped 
into the room where the instrument was, it was 
ticking off a message, and we got part of the 
message thus passing over the line or curcuit 
which reads as follows: "Before they have dis- 
covered where the line is connected I believe F. 
R. S. is on to something although he said to 
them that their batter\- had to be changed. 
However, be careful about sending any news over 
to us and we will let you know when to operate 
so that all will be 0. K. I. N. S." 

To say that Ave were astonished would be 
putting it mildly. We had not expected such 



400 death; the meaning and result. 

news. Something was indeed wrong. The enemy, 
or someone at least, was plotting and planning 
for some purpose. The wording of the intercepted 
message presaged intrigue and trouble. What 
we got of the message evidently is only a part 
of what had passed over the circuit and recorded 
by our instrument. The first of it that came to 
our ears is beyond doubt the middle of a sen- 
tence. None of it was intended for us. It was 
signed "I. N. S." but to whom sent we had no 
means of knowing and who "I. N. S." is we can- 
not make the faintest guess. We said nothing 
to each other at the time but anxiously awaited 
with all attention for more. For a few minutes 
the instrument was persistently silent, and then 
it began that clear strong ticking which Mr. 
Dallas and myself had long since learned to 
recognize as the operating of Prof. F. R. S. I was 
also able to see the outlines of a form with arm 
extended and hand in proximity with the key of 
the instrument which ticked off the following 
message: "How are you all. I have brought 
some new spirits to you tonight. U. S. Grant 
and Sir I. Newton are here. F. R. S." 

In reply to this message I said: "Good even- 
ing, Professor." I did not nor did Mr. Dallas 
greet the "new spirits' ' with a cordial salutation. 
Intuitively I felt a repulsive, combative sensa- 
tion pervading my organism. I did not say 
good evening or anything else to the so-called 
U. S. Grant and Sir I. Newton. I wondered at 
the feeling I had towards them and the very cool 



death; the meaning and result. 401 

reception I accorded them, as towards such hon- 
ored and distinguished personages as the immor- 
tal U. S. Grant and Sir I. Newton the most cor- 
dial reception should have been extended. A very 
little time had elapsed since receiving the last 
message when the following was ticked off: 
"Good evening, gentlemen. I am glad to be 
introduced to you on this occasion. Sir I. 
Newton." 

I made no reply whatever to this message and 
soon the following was ticked off: "It affords 
me much pleasure to be able to speak to you 
in person. I have longed for this opportunity 
to offer itself, and through the kindness of your 
friends am here and am permitted to use their 
strength. I know your friend, the Doctor, very 
w^ell and have helped him in many of his strug- 
gles against our mutual foes. I. N." 

I made no answer to the foregoing message. 
The feeling of repulsion still had its hold on me. 
However, I addressed Prof. F. R. S. and said: 
''Professor, are you certain your telegraph lines 
are all right?" He replied: "Yes, everything is 
all right." I then said: "Professor, when Mr. 
Dallas and I stepped into this room just before 
you came we heard the following message going 
over the line: 'before they have discovered where 
the line is connected. I believe F. R. S. is on to 
something although he said to them that their 
battery requires to be charged. However, be 
careful in sending any new r s over to us and we 
will let you know when to operate so that all 



402 death; the meaning and result. 

will be O. K. I. N. S.' Now, does that not show 
that something is wrong with the line? Other- 
wise how can the message be explained?" Im- 
mediately he gave the answer as follows: "No, 
the line is all right. We have examined it today. 
I can't explain the mess-." 

The instrument stopped in the middle of a 
word. I at that instant jumped to a standing- 
position. It came to me like a flash what had 
happened. Prof. F. R. S. had been captured! 
Taken prisoner by the enemy! The supposed 
(by the Professor) U. S. Grant and Sir I. New- 
ton was evidently enemies in disguise imperson- 
ating these two great men. I remarked to Mr. 
Dallas as I sprang to my feet: "Dallas, some- 
thing awful has happened! F. R. S. is captured 
by the enemy!" As I finished this sentence and 
before I could say more I was interrupted by 
the telegraph instrument which began to tick 
and we read the following: "Send them imme- 
diately. We have secured two. I. N. S." And 
Immediately the following: "All right." 

I again began to talk about what had hap- 
pened and was again interrupted by the ticking 
of the instrument and we read the following: "I 
am sorry, gentlemen, we left you so hurriedly, 
but we had some matters to attend to. Newton." 
Immediately following this: "F. R. S. is here 
also." I then said: "Whether your name is 
Newton or not I do not know, neither do I care. 
I do know, however, that you are not who you 
would have us believe you are. I know what 



death; the meaning and result. 403 

has happened. You are an imposter as well as 
the individual introduced here as U. S. Grant. I 
know 3'ou are an enemy to F. R. S. and to Mr. 
Dallas and myself, and that Prof. F. R. S. is a 
captive in your power or the powder of those 
whom you serve. Your coming here this evening- 
is a ruse and deception to accomplish what you 
have done. Now get out of my office and stay 
out. 

I do not know whether or not he w^ent at my 
bidding; at any rate he made no reply. I then 
said: "Dallas for heaven's sake telegraph to our 
spirit friends what has happened; tell them to- 
be on their guard or the same fate may happen 
to them as has overtaken the Professor. " Mr. 
Dallas began to follow out my instructions to 
telegraph word to our friends, and, imagine our 
consternation, the telegraph instrument had 
gone wrong. It would not w^ork. The lever of 
the sounder seemed to be stuck fast. While Mr. 
D. was working at the instrument in despera- 
tion, the sounder loosened up and before we 
could stop it a call for P. Mitchell w r as sent 
spinning over the line. In a very few seconds 
Plum Mitchell was here and answered up as 
follows: "Hello, boys, what is the matter? I am 
here. I do not understand w r hat has become of 
F. R. S. I can't see him around. P. M." I then, 
as hurriedly as I could, told Plum what had 
occurred. He replied over the instrument as- 
follows: "The devil! I see something wrong in- 
deed. I will have to go and see.'' The instru- 



401 death; the meaning and result. 

ment suddenly stopped and in a few seconds, in 
fact, almost instantly resumed when Plum left 
off and said: "Here is another. I. N. S." 

Immediately following this, Mr. Dallas and I 
heard a call for W. D. Eddy go over the line. 
All this time Mr. Dallas was trying to get a 
message to our spirit friends of what was going 
on, but try as he would it was a complete fail- 
ure. Some force was interfering with our instru- 
ment. Soon after we heard Eddy's call, he re- 
sponded, supposing of course, as did Plum when 
he heard his call, that it proceeded from Mr. 
Dallas. As Eddy stepped into the office he an- 
swered up as follows: "What is it? Eddy." I 
said in reply: "Doctor, flee if you can while it is 
time. The Professor and Plum have been cap- 
tured by the enemy." He replied as follows: "I 
am afraid," and again the instrument stopped. 
He too had fallen a prey to the wily foe. In a 
few moments our spirit friend Harvey Mason 
stepped into the office and answered upon the 
instrument as follows: "What has become of 
them? H. M." I answered: "All captured, 
don't stay. Hurry to Headquarters." To that 
I got no reply. In a second or two after this 
Dr. Shoemaker came into the office and said over 
the instrument as follows: "John, what has 
happened?" I said: "Doctor, F. R. S., Plum and 
Eddy I fear are captured, and, Doctor, I am 
afraid if you stay here you will be captured also." 

He replied: "John, how did this occur or why 
do you think our friends are captured? Move 



death; the meaning and result. 405 

your chair close to Mr. Dallas' chair and take 
hold of his right hand with your left, first plac- 
ing a chair between 3 r ou. W. P. S." I did as 
directed, when he resumed and said: "Tell me 
how you come to your conclusions?" I then re- 
lated to him about the Professor bringing two 
spirits here and introducing them as Grant and 
Newton and what occurred subsequent. He re- 
plied: "I knew the Professor w r as coming here 
tonight and that he w T as to bring two spirits 
with him. I did not meet the spirits he was to 
bring here. I did not like the arrangement alto- 
gether but never thought of a calamity like this 
being possible." As the Doctor stopped talking 
the instrument began to tick which proved to 
be a message for Dr. Shoemaker which said: 
"To W. P. S.: Come to Spirit Headquarters 
immediatel\ r or all will be lost. Harvey Mason." 
Immediately following this Dr. Shoemaker said 
to us by telegraph: "Friends, you hear that 
message. I must leave you. I must go where 
duty calls. If I can, I will send you a message 
when I get to our Headquarters. Good bye. W. 
P. S." A few minutes of silence and then we re- 
ceived the following: "The enemy are out in 
full force. Have captured F. R. S., Plum and 
Bdd} T . They are now preparing to attack us 
here. What can we do? I wish we had stayed 
with you. I am afraid this is serious to us all. 
William Patterson Shoemaker, 66." I hastily 
prepared the following reply and instructed Mr. 
Dallas to hurrv it over the line: "To W. P. S.: 



406 death; the meaning and result. 

Do your dutyjto your God, to your fellow man 
and to yourself as you see it and all will be 
well. J. K. W." Immediately the following an- 
swer came:|"l will do my best; can'tdo more. 
Be very careful ho\v you act, John. If we suc- 
ceed in defeating them I," the instrument stop- 
ped and I knew pretty well what had happened. 
Undoubtedly the enemy had begun the attack 
and interrupted the Doctor in sending or finish- 
ing this message. 

An electric storm had been brewing for the 
few moments preceding the receipt of the last 
message, and soon the storm in all its fury was 
raging about the building in which we were, to 
some extent, actors in the drama of life then to 
the fore. The lightning in serpentine girations 
streaked the curtains of night, and seemingly 
with ghoulish glee danced about things mundane 
in reckless abandon. Mr. Dallas was seated in 
a chair with a look of despair on his face. I 
was pacing the floor, knowing not what the 
next moment would bring forth. Peal following 
peal of electric artillery greeted our ears, as the 
vivid lightning in its swift sweeping stride, here 
and there, burst asunder the ether of the uni- 
verse. Just at this particular time the telegraph 
instrument began to tick off a message. Mr. 
Dallas and I were all attention. Was it good 
news or bad? We had not long to wait for the 
ticking proceeded and gave us the following: 
"To you both at the earth's side: We, } r our 
sworn enemies have at last scored a point 



death; the meaning and result. 407 

against you. We have in our power C. Sumner, 
F. R. S., P. Mitchell and W. D. Eddy, your right 
hand leaders, and we intend to keep them here 
^ntil such time as you will come to our terms. 
You both have dared to tread on forbidden 
ground, ours which we have inherited since the 
beginning of all things. *You have tried to des- 
troy our religion and our gods. You have tried 
to shatter our mediums, and for all this we still 
spare you, but remember, I, the Almighty One, 
who was almost the great spirit, will take re- 
venge. From now henceforth your lives are not 
worth the smallest vestage of any living thing. 
We will destroy you, your power and your 
friends on this side, and here on this night even 
on earth }^ou can hear our mighty forces throw- 
ing missiles at the camp of your stronghold, 
and I say nothing shall remain, not even a sin- 
gle stone. Deus." 

I was in a standing position at the time this 
tirade was ticked off. As the letters greeted my 
sense of hearing and by their relation formed 
into words and words into sentences I under- 
stood the trend of what was coming. Mr. Dal- 
las with pencil w r as taking down what was 
said over the instrument. I was thoroughly 
aroused. I could hardly maintain silence during 
the receiving of the message by the operator. 
At its conclusion I glanced over it to be sure I 
had made no mistake in its version or meaning. 
A terrible indictment lay before me and I wait- 
ed not a moment to enter my plea. I walked 



408 death; the meaning and result. 

up near the chair close to the key were the au- 
thor of the indictment was supposed to be and 
said: "You, whoever you may be, come here 
and lay before us what is contained in this mes- 
sage which I say to begin with is a tissue of 
assumption and falsehood from beginning to 
end. You apprise us of the fact that you have 
in your possession or powder C. Sumner, F. R. 
S., W. D. Eddy and P. Mitchell; that may be so, 
or it may not. Your declaration that such is 
the fact w r ould not carry any weight with me 
as to the truth of your statement. From cer- 
tain things which I have witnessed here this 
evening I believe that certain of our spirit friends 
have been taken in by a powder or force at the 
time being superior to their attribute of resist- 
ance. I know that what has been accomplish- 
ed is the result of treachery, deception and mis- 
placed confidence, in which despicable art, you 
and yours are adepts, I have no doubt. You 
boast of your ability to hold your captives at 
will and your intention of so doing until we 
come to your terms, therefore you assume you 
are in a position to dictate. 

"Who are you, or where your credentials, and 
by whom given, or from w^hat source comes 
your authority to capitulate with us on any 
subject whatever? Remember, to even induce us 
to in any way consider any proposition leading 
in any direction you might wash to offer, your 
credentials must be beyond suspicion and from 
a source we are willing to recognize as having 



death; the meaning and result. 409 

airtJiority, and even then we would spurn any- 
thing you might offer if behind it was a threat- 
ening lash or an abridgment of the widest lib- 
erty. You say, we have both, referring, I take 
it, to Mr. Dallas and myself, 'dared to tread on 
forbidden ground.' Ah! indeed! by whom for- 
bidden? To what ground do you refer? If you 
refer to and mean that we have dared to inves- 
tigate into the comparatively hidden things in 
the storehouse of nature; that w r e have been try- 
ing to reach out for light and knowledge to and 
into the whither; to and into the realms of 
spirit and learn of the destiny of those of our 
friends who have gone before, and also the des- 
tiny which awaits us; an effort to turn the search- 
light of investigation on the hidden things of the 
future; an effort to blaze the way along which 
those who are summoned hither travel so that 
all may know the shortest and safest route to 
the grandest possibilities in human effort; abridg- 
ing of the chasm separating the so-called dead 
from the so-called living; if this, or any of them, 
is what you mean by 'forbidden ground,' pray 
tell us w r hen such things were forbidden and by 
whom? 

"Will vou tell us it has been forbidden bv 
popes, holy fathers, bishops or prelates? If so 
you will have established your identity as one 
belonging to this planet when such presumptuous 
frauds or fanatics pretended or thought they 
were vicegerents of the center of intelligence and 
holy of holies. Let me tell you if that is your 



410 death; the meaning and result. 

claim, those selfish entities have long sinee been 
beaten from the brambles of superstition, routed 
from their lairs of abomination, and the 
^grounds' thrown open for common settlement 
by all the children of the universe, and the sooner 
you get into closer relations with this planet 
the sooner you will realize the truth of this 
statement. You claim these 'grounds' are yours 
by inheritance which you say we have trespassed 
upon. From whom did you inherit so much? 
Where or who is the parent of this gigantic 
'ground' syndicate? From whence came the 
title to the holdings by the few of such immense 
possessions to the exclusion of the many? Until 
these questions are answered, your assumption 
of ownership by inheritance or otherwise deserves 
no answer, and it is in no way worthy of ser- 
ious consideration. You proceed to state that 
*we have tried to destroy your religion, your gods 
and shatter your mediums.' Can't you conde- 
scend to be more explicit? What is your relig- 
ion? Who are your gods? And what do you 
desire us to understand by 'our mediums?' 
Until you define your meaning we shall defer 
the answer. If you should mean by 'our relig- 
ion,' the culmination of centered superstition 
focused on the human race by centuries of ignor- 
ance, then we are free to admit that we are 
trying to gain such vantage ground whereby we 
will be able to pierce its armor of arrogance 
with the arrow of truth. If by 'our gods' you 
mean those creatures of rapine, war, famine, 



death; the meaning and result. 411 

disease, sin, degradation and failure, born from 
the selfish conception of perverted minds in the 
past, clothed with base passion, and whose 
attribute of hate predominates the emotion of 
love, then we now say that we would at any 
time be willing to lend our aid in completing 
their destruction and as you sign your name 
leus,' which is God in English, if you are one 
of the gods of whom I have spoken I know no 
reason why you should be spared the fate of 
your companions. 

k4 You assume to have great power, even the 
power to take our lives. I do not believe it. 
I have no way of knowing the extent of your 
power. You ma}- be able for aught I know to 
destroy the mortal body. If you have that 
power, to do so would be the act of a coward 
and would only elevate me to a vantage ground 
in which I could measure you at yotxr true 
worth or strength, so I have no fear on that 
score. I know your assumption to be able 
to take life in its true sense is mere bosh and 

uld only emanate from an entity grossly igno- 
rant or with the design to mislead. We, here on 
this side, are entities and as much a part and par- 
cel of this universe as are you. We have a niche 
in nature to fill freighted with as much design 
and function as the niche which you fill at the 

esent time. It is not your province to speak 

ngs, constituting a part of the whole, either 

into or out of existence. Your extreme egotism 

evidenced by the wording of your message labels 



412 death; the meaning and result. 

you in a way whereby it is an eas\^ matter to 
catalogue you among the antiquities of darker 
days and make no mistake. To conclude, whether 
you are God or devil, go back to your native 
heath, to those whom you rule or serve and 
tell them my answer to y our accusation." 

At the conclusion of my answer the telegraph 
instrument ticked off the following: "From your 
side of life this seems all very well, but as I 
cannot explain to you, or clo not wish to spend 
any more of my valuable time with you now I 
shall answer you in full at some other time. 
Remember, gentlemen, I do not wish to see any 
harm befall you, but as surely as the sun shall 
rise tomorrow, your lives are in danger from 
this moment. Deus." I answered this as fol- 
lows: "We do not desire you to explain beyond 
your pleasure now or hereafter. Our time is as 
valuable to us as your time can possible be to 
you. In relation to your threat of loss of life, 
you already have our answer. Your reluctance 
to spend your time with us, and our more than 
willingness to have you conspicuous by }^our 
absence argues that this interview has already 
lasted too long, so we will close it here and now 
by commanding you to at once and forever 
absent yourself.' ' 

A few minutes silence and then the following 
was ticked off: "To the w r ould-be great of the 
earth plane: Our terms are as follows: Be 
ruled by us in all things, and for this we will 
set at liberty your friends. We shall bring you 



death; the meaning and result. 413 

out among men as Christ was among his peo- 
ple. For my leader. I. N. S." 

In answer to this I replied: "It will be plenty 
of time for you to offers terms when you are 
asked for them. Xo doubt judging from the 
information I now have, that an acceptance 
of your leadership would mean our crucifixion. 
We have no inclination just j^et to start for 
that goal." Immediately after this the instru- 
ment ticked off the following: "Until you accept 
our offer we do not wish to hear from you and 
any other information shall not be answered. 
Deus." To this I replied: "When we ask infor- 
mation from you it will be your province to 
refuse to give it if you so feel; but as we measure 
time it will be very long before we come to you or 
yours for anything whatever." 

Finally quiet reigned supreme. Mr. Dallas and 
I had a chance to pull ourselves together, and 
see if we could tell "where we were at." Our 
friends undoubtedly had been overpowered and 
many of them are prisoners in the power of 
an enemy to them. We were confronted by a 
personality representing the adverse force who 
laid at our door serious charges and made 
threats if carried into excution the end would be 
hard to determine. It may be that we are 
between the devil and the deep sea; but I do 
not think so. We have committed no crime. 
We have done nothing to offend a just God or 
loving Father. Surely it is not wrong to search 
for truth in all avenues of the universe. Light to 



414 death; the meaning and result. 

our understanding is a birthright of which no 
mortal or immortal, except the most selfish, 
would try to deprive us. Then why fear or be 
parried by forces evidently adverse to our 
acquiring the knowledge so earnestly sought. 
The capture and detention of our spirit friends 
is a calamity no less to them than to us. We 
feel their loss keenly. Is this to close all avenues 
of communication between them and us? Are 
we never again to clasp hands across the abyss 
separating the living and so-called dead? Is the 
bridge so well built and so nearly complete, unit- 
ing the two worlds, to be swept away by the 
torrents of a rapacious enemy to human pro- 
gress? Well, time alone can answer these ques- 
tions. As year follows year it will be shown 
what the harvest is. We are willing to wait, 
for results. Mr. Dallas and myself discussed the 
condition in which we find ourselves, until far 
into the beginning of the next daj^. We finally 
laid down upon the bed to sleep, if we could, 
and to think if we could not sleep. Sleep soon 
claimed Mr. Dallas, but not so with myself. I 
thought of our long series of strange experiences 
and of the culmination of the night. 

Sept 14, 1894. I awoke Mr. Dallas from 
slumber at 9 o'clock. He informed me that he 
had slept quite well but he looked haggard and 
wan, the result of the nervous and mental strain 
of the night just passed. I felt annoyed an$ 
depressed over what had happened. We were 
soon discussing the recent events and were about 



death; the meaning and result. 41^ 

to leave the office for breakfast when the tele- 
graph instrument began to tick and gave us the 
following message: "Good morning. I am glad 
to say that Mr. Harvey Mason and a few more 
of y our set are in our hands. We are progress- 
ing very favorably for the short time we have 
been in power. I heard you talk this morning 
and may say it is not necessary for you to come 
to our terms unless you wish to. Deus." I 
answered: "We will not say 'good morning' 
to you as I do not believe in using deception in 
salutation. You come here uninvited, and if you 
do not realize the fact I will tell you now plainly 
that you are not welcome and a trespasser to 
the full extent of the meaning of the word. We 
said nothing this morning at the time you admit 
you were eaves-dropping, that we would not be 
willing to say to you now. You are spending 
more of your 'valuable time' as you termed it 
last evening, uselessly, and to no purpose in tell- 
ing us that it is not necessar}^ for us to come 
to your terms. We knew that last night, and 
we knew it this morning before you told us. 
You are not welcome here, and nothing but 
impudence and calloused indifference can account 
for your presence this morning. " No reply was 
made to what I said. Waiting a few minuter 
to give "Deus" an opportunity to say more if he 
cared to and hearing nothing further we repaired, 
to breakfast and separated for the day. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

Spirit Dr. Shoemaker a Prisoner — Present Under Guard 
— What He Says — Establishes Identity — Efforts to 
Hear From Friends — Denied By Adverse Force — 
Impudent Spirit Message — Answer — Heated Colloquy 
With Spirit Antagonists — Message Intercepted — Plan 
to Impersonate — Discovered — More Messages Inter- 
cepted — Decoy Message — Detected — Message Signed, 
"A Friend"— Mystery— Masters From Hell— Strange 
Discovery — More Spirit Telegrams — Terms Urged by 
Deus — Another Colloquy — Hope — Message, "Be Pa- 
tient" — Name By Impression — Message By Sam Mc 
Bride — Spirits Dr. Shoemaker and Sumner Escape 
From Captivity — Spirit F. R. S. Escapes — Telegram 
From Spirit Mitchell— Mitchell and Others Gain Lib- 
erty — Time Set for Meeting — Directed to Prepare 
Instrument. 

On September 16, at 2 p. m., Mr. Dallas and I 
were sitting in my private office. We had heard 
nothing from either friend or foe from the border 
land since the morning of the 14th. We had 
come to the conclusion that our spirit friends 
could not reach us, for if they could we had every 
reason to believe that some of them would have 
communicated with us during the interim. Our 



death; the meaning and result. 417 

spirit enemies, it would seem, controlled the 
avenue of approach and they were giving us 
a rest. As might be expected at this time we 
were talking over the very radical change in the 
condition of things which had been wrought in 
the two or three days last past, and how unlook- 
ed for and sudden had been the change. While 
thus conversing the telegraph instrument began 
to tick and we were informed that spirit, Dr. 
Shoemaker, was present under guard of the 
enemy, and if we so desired he would be per- 
mitted to say a few words to us. In answer I 
replied, that "Dr. Shoemaker was under all cir- 
cumstances welcome here, and we desired to hear 
from him." Immediately the instrument began 
to clatter and gave us the following message: 
"Shortly after leaving you the night of the at- 
tack we were surrounded on every side and I, 
with many other spirits, was taken prisoner. 
They allowed me to come here today so that 
they may take delight in our downfall. I am 
not allowed to give any information. Suffice it 
for me to say that the password is 66, that I 
cured you of fistula, that the lady's name at 
Edenburg is Bird, that I passed out at Cam- 
bridge and that I was an old friend of yours at 
E. and B. both. William Patterson Shoemaker, 
M. D." 

The Doctor it is plain to be seen wished to 
establish his identity and he succeeeded in doing 
so fully. I have no doubt but that Dr. Shoe- 
maker dictated the telegram. I was somewhat 



418 death; the meaning and result. 

embarrassed. I knew lie told the true state of 
affairs when he said he was not allowed to give 
any information. He was tinder guard and re- 
straint. I dared not say what was in my mind 
about his enemies for the reason that I had no 
means of knowing how much it might mitigate 
against his comfort and treatment by those in 
whose power he was. I said as mildly as I 
could: "Well, Doctor, I recognize the intelligence 
which dictated the telegram just received as 
William Patterson Shoemaker. It is no doubt 
very unexpected to you, and it certainly is to 
Mr. Dallas and me to meet in this way. It is 
the fortunes of warfare or at least would be so 
considered on our side. To be a prisoner of war 
is no evidence of crime, and therefore no dis- 
grace. I have many things to say to you but 
cannot do so while other spirits are present who 
hold you captive. This thing, however, I will 
say: You will always find your friends on our 
vSide of life loyal to the cause } r ou love so dearly. 
What Ave fail to do in time we may be able to 
finish in eternity. Come to us whenever you 
can, and wherever you find us you will observe 
that every heart throb will be in sympathy with 
the right as we understand it, so I will bid you 
good bye for the present.' ' 

There was no response to what I said to the 
Doctor. At 8 p. m., we concluded to send a call 
for Plum Mitchell over the line and watch the 
effect and accordingly Dallas stepped to the key 
and sent a call for P. M., and soon we received 



death; the leaning and result. 419 

the following: u To J. K. Wilson and E. M. 
Dallas: For the last time we say to you no 
friend of yours will be permitted near this key 
today and 3^ou are only giving us strength by 
remaining together. A Spirit." So emphatic 
was the telegram that we had no reason to 
doubt that it meant w r hat it said and we did 
not meddle with it further for the time being. 

Note. Spirit Dr. Shoemaker could not have 
said more in the same length of time in his mes- 
sage to convince me of his identity-. He undoubt- 
edly realized that just at this particular time we 
were expecting an attempt on the part of the 
enem}^ to impersonate our spirit friends, hence 
his efforts to prove his identity at this time.. 
Our password as before stated is 66. It is 
true that Dr. Shoemaker before passing from 
mortal form cured me of fistula. We also had 
used the word "Bird" as a password on ex- 
traordinary occasions being the name of a lady 
in Edenburg formerly known by the Doctor, and 
myself. It is also true that the Doctor passed 
to spirit . life in Cambridge and that he was an 
old friend of mine at Edenburg and Bradford, 
and so he convinced me that it was he, who 
w r as talking to me at that time. 

September 17, Mr. Dallas and I met at my 
office at 10 a. m. After consulting for a while 
we concluded to call via telegraph instrument 
our spirit friend and operator Plum Mitchell, 
and Mr. Dallas stepped to the instrument and 
sounded Mr. Mitchell's call over the line, and in 



420 death; the meaning and result. 

response the following telegram was received: 
"Do you come to us for terms? If so, say so, if 
not shut up. P." In reply to this I had Mr. 
Dallas send the following telegram: "We come 
to you for no terms whatever. Do not imagine 
that a call from us to a spirit friend means a 
coming to you in any sense. Our call suggested 
to you nothing of the kind. J. K. W." In reply 
to this we received the following: "Most cer- 
tainly it did, as you said you did not wish to 
have further dealings with us. P." After receiv- 
ing this we telegraphed the following reply: 
"Hereafter do not mistake a call over the line 
for a spirit friend by us to mean a coming to 
you for terms or anything else. J. K. W." Im- 
mediately the following: "You realize only too 
well that in his present position Plum Mitchell 
cannot receive your call. P." 

To the last telegram we made no reply, but 
soon we received the following: "If you wish to 
speak to him we will grant him the privilege 
for a few moments on one condition and that 
is — he will not give you any information in re- 
gard to our position. P." In reply to this we 
sent the following message: "We have asked 
you for no favors and do not intend to do so 
now or in the future. If we cannot meet our 
friend except under restrictions by you we pre- 
fer not to meet him at all. J. K. W." To this 
we got no answer and hearing nothing further 
Mr. Dallas and I separated for the time being. 

At 8 p. m. Mr. Dallas again called at my 



death; the meaning and result. 421 

office, and soon we quietly stepped into the pri- 
vate office in which the telegraph instrument 
was, and to our astonishment it was ticking off 
a message of some kind. We said nothing but 
lent an attentive ear and as we did so we caught 
what was not intended for us to hear as follows: 
" as they have been heretofore but they can- 
not regain the power they have lost. We will 
not attempt to make any further connections 
until such time as we are fully satisfied that 
we hold the reins. We have followed your in- 
structions to a letter and thej^ are in good keep- 
ing. We will do as you desire and I do not see 
any motive for the break but as you said they 
cannot get away as we have all in our power, 
watch and see if their friends try to get any in- 
formation from them and be ready to answer 
them in their name. You know the calls and I 
think you can work the rest. D. E." After 
hearing this message ticked off a few moments 
elapsed and then we heard what is evidently a 
reply as follows: "We will do as you desire and 
depend on us. Good bye. P. L." 

So the slick enemies were going to do a little 
impersonating over the line. Well we shall see. 
Perhaps we will be "on," for being forewarned 
is being forearmed; anyway we will be on the 
alert. Soon we heard one word passing over 
the line and that was, "beware." That was a 
word of caution and perhaps our enemies have 
got on to the fact that we had intercepted their 
messages. While we were thus finding a mean- 



422 death; the meaning and result. 

ing and why they had given a word of caution, 
the instrument ticked off the following: "Gen- 
tlemen: We have just found out that you inter- 
cepted our message. It won't do you much 
good and we are on to you. Your friends are 
with us — all of them. This is the last tick today. 
D." We made no reply to this message; we 
treated it with silent contempt. 

September 18, Mr. Dallas called at the office 
at 8 p. m. Again we adopted the tactics prac- 
ticed by us last evening and quietly slipped into 
the private office and discovered the instrument 
was ticking away, and w^e caught the following 
passing over the line: "Well, you talk with 
much confidence, but remember they ma}^ wait 
for years. I. N. S." And then the following: 
" Would find this a very easy matter but I said 
they would not concede to that point and they 

must be ready by this ." The telegraphing 

stopped short, and I think before the last sen- 
tence was finished, and the query was, had they 
again discovered that we w^ere intercepting their 
messages? About the time I had come to the 
conclusion that w r e had been discovered, again, 
the ticking resumed and we caught the following: 
"As long as their friends remain in their present 
position we can hold them, but if they should 
take it into their heads to locate elsewhere we 
would not retain the power over the lines as 
we do now and it is important that J. K. W. 
should not know of this. See that you examine 
the lines when I finish. D." 



death; the meaning and result. 423 

On close examination of this message I thought 
I discovered quite a different meaning than the 
one expressed in the telegram and I asked my- 
self the question, is it not possible that the ene- 
my are trying to beat us at our own game by 
sending decoy telegrams over the line for the 
purpose of misleading us. We evidently have to 
deal with a wily foe whose cunning is often to 
the fore. I said nothing to Mr. Dallas of this 
recently developed suspicion, but while I was 
thus meditating, we received the following mes- 
sage: "Gentlemen, innocent boys, I cannot re- 
sist in saying, you think you are both very 
sharp, but if you did get any of our messages 
tonight, I hope it will do you a pile of good. 
Good night. I will leave an operator here who 
will answer any further conversations. A Friend/ ' 

I must confess that I was somewhat puzzled 
by the wording of this message. On reflection, 
however, I thought I could see ear marks which 
confirmed my suspicion of decoy messages. And 
another thing that I am not able to account 
for, is the peculiar signature of this message. 
Our friends, as we have been led to believe, are 
in the power of the enemies, and as they have 
taken the pains to inform us, "sworn enemies. " 
We have, also, every reason to believe that our 
"sworn enemies/ ' are in possession of the tele- 
graph line or circuit over which the message 
was received, then w T hy should it be signed "A 
Friend ?" After debating with myself for a few 
minutes I remarked: "Whom is this who signs 



424 death; the meaning and result. 

himself 'a friend' to this message? If you are 
near us and can hear me talk, tell us who you 
are. Are you a friend in the sense that word 
implies or, are you a wolf masquerading in 
sheep's clothing?" Immediately we received the 
following: "Gentlemen: I hear you speak but 
cannot answer you, as I am but a tool in the 
hands of masters. M." To this I replied rather 
sharply: "Well, where are your masters from? ,, 
Immediately the answer came via the instrument: 
"From Hell." The manner of telegraphing seem- 
ed and sounded strangely familiar. Under ordi- 
nary circumstances, I should ha^e no trouble in 
naming the operator, but under the present 
status of things, I was not sure but that it was 
some personality trying to imitate, as near as 
possible, my friend's operating. And then again, 
the abrupt way in which the la.st answer was 
given, went far in convincing me that it certain- 
ly could not be the operating of my friend, and 
the way it was put sort of nettled me; but I 
finally said: "Why is it you come here and jest 
over matters so serious to me? What have we 
done to you that you should be an enemy of 
ours? We have in no way tried to harm you 
that I am aware of, then why try as you are 
doing to embarrass and harass us? We make 
no distinction between spirit or mortal. If any 
come to us in a proper way, and we think them 
worthy, they will always find a helping hand to 
assist them up and on." Immediately we re- 
ceived the following: "For God sake, Mr. Wil- 



death; the meaning and result. 425 

son, don't talk in that strain. I can stand any- 
thing better than that. I was not jesting when 
I answered your question. Say, did you ever 
see an electric belt for the neck? M." 

The last sentence of this telegram let in a 
flood of light. I was certain now, that a certain 
friend of mine in spirit, and the one I thought 
the operating was so much like his, was at the 
key. At the same time it flashed on my mind 
that while he was held in captivity, he was 
compelled at this particular time and place, to 
do the operating for the enemy. Immediately 
following this last message this was ticked off: 
"You understand?' ' In answer I said: "Yes." I 
have mentioned no name as to the operator 
neither will 1 do so in this present record for if 
I did it might mitigate against my friend. 

Note. Now that I am adding to the record 
explanatory notes, I will say that the operator 
sending the messages at this time was my 
spirit friend, Harvey Mason. I was at the time, 
as I have learned since, perfectly correct in con- 
cluding that notwithstanding Mr. Mason was 
in captivity, he was drafted into service and 
compelled to do the operating for his captors on 
this occasion, but had succeeded in dropping a 
sentence unnoticed by his captors informing me 
who the operator was. 

It has been some time since hearing from friend 
or foe. On September 22, we ventured to send a 
call over the line for someone of our friends and 
to watch the result, and immediately we receiv- 



426 death; the meaning and result. 

the following telegram: "I hope you are both 
well. Your friends have given us so much trouble 
lately, that we have not had time to visit 
-with 3 r ou. Do not be anxious for their safety, 
all are in good keeping. P." I asked: "Who is 
this operating?" And this answer: "That is 
the message I was to deliver to you immediate- 
ly when you called us up. I am not at, liberty 
to say more. Good bye. P." The operating 
today sounded familiar and wonderfully like a 
friend of mine. I said nothing in answer to this 
last message, and soon after receiving it, Mr. 
Dallas and I separated for the day. 

Note. Subsequent events developed the fact 
that the sending operator of the messages on 
this occasion was my spirit friend Plum Mitchell. 
He too had been pressed into service by his 
captors. 

September 25, 1894. It has been three days 
since we have received a message from the border 
land. Air. Dallas has called regularly at my 
office every day. We have tried our old tactics 
by slipping quietly into the presence of the tele- 
graph instrument, to — if possible — garble or in- 
tercept messages not intended for us, but we 
heard none going over the circuit. Our instru- 
ment was as silent as the Sphinx. Perhaps our 
enemies have cut out our instrument from the 
circuit. On this particular date we concluded to 
see if we had a cold deal sounder on our hands, 
or one which, by pressing the button, could give 
us much talk, so Mr. Dallas pressed the key and 



death; the meaning and result. 427 

sounded the call of the spirit operator, "P. M." 
which is the call to my old friend Plum Mitchell. 
Very soon our call was answered and the fol- 
lowing message ticked off: "Greetings to you 
both. We are glad you called P. M. Of course 
he not being here in person we have to take up 
his call. Wait until I notify the chief. M." We 
waited for about five minutes after receiving 
this message and then the following came: "Good 
evening, gentlemen. I trust you have both at 
last come to a conclusion in regard to arrang- 
ing with us about the future work we have in 
store for you. Deus." 

Ah — Ah — another message from God or deity 
as he styles himself. Judging from the tone of 
this message, compared with the tone of the 
first message we received from his royal high- 
ness, this God was becoming more reconciled to 
us poor mortals. In this last message he gets 
down off his perch and condescends to call us 
"gentlemen." What has brought about this 
change? I am sure I do not know. I do know, 
however, that we offered up no sacrifice to 
this so-called diety to appease his dis- 
pleasure or for any other purpose, and we have 
in no way catered to his vanity. In no instance 
have we shown fear or developed trembling in 
his august presence. Now, maybe after all, that 
it is literal! y true that "God hates a coward." 
It may be that he respects very little, those of 
his children who consider themselves mere worms 
groveling in the dust and not worthy of a fav- 



428 death; the meaning and result. 

orable consideration by their God. For my part 
I am inclined to think that God has very little 
respect for those who do not respect themselves. 
If one respect himself it is generally conceded 
that he is worthy of respect by his fellow man, 
and if he has as much consideration for his fel- 
low man as he has for himself, then as a matter 
of right he may expect favorable consideration 
by his God. Well, in answer to this last mes- 
sage from "Deus" I hastily prepared the follow- 
ing and Mr. Dallas sent it over the line: "We 
will say good evening, although the salutation 
is only between entire strangers. In reply to 
your message will say, we called P. M., who is 
an old friend of mine, not for the purpose of 
considering any propositions you might wish to 
offer. Do not understand us to ask for terms, 
when we call a friend. If you desire terms treat 
with our leaders on your side of life. They un- 
derstand the situation much better than we do 
and are better posted with whom to talk of 
terms. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." In reply to 
this we received the following message: "Gen- 
tlemen, we will show your friends your message 
just as we received it from you and will give 
you their answer in a few days. Good night, 
unless you wish to speak on any other subject. 
D." 

In answer I prepared and Mr. Dallas sent the 
following telegram: "You being an entire strang- 
er to us, we know nothing of your honesty or 
integrity. We have no terms to ask or compro-. 



death; the meaning and result. 429 

mise to make. The matter must rest entirely 
with whom you call our former leaders. We 
know them and trust them implicity. But if 
they conclude to in any way, treat on matters 
pertaining to a compromise we must be thor- 
oughly convinced that it is done on their part 
of their own free will and without restraint by 
their captors. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." In re- 
ply we received the following: "In answer to 
yours we would say, your former leaders have 
been broached on the subject and their reply is, 
4 ask our friends on the eafth side, they will 
make all arrangements with you/ so you see, 
gentlemen, the matter rests entirely in your 
hands. D." This last message certainly con- 
tained news to me at least. So our spirit friends 
have been "broached'' by their captors on the 
subject of compromise. In that view the thought 
occurred to me that possibly our telegrams sent 
to the enemy might be reconstructed by them 
so as to have a different meaning than intended 
by us and thus embarrass our friends in captiv- 
ity. To guard against that possibility, I pre- 
pared and Mr. Dallas telegraphed the following 
message: "Please repeat back to us the messa- 
ges you have received from us today. J. K. W., 
E. M. D., opr." In reply the following was 
ticked off: "We do not think that is necessary 
and do not intend to repeat or add anything to 
the messages we have received from you, and I 
may say that you shall have full evidence that 
it is from your friends when they reply. D." 



430 death; the meaning and result. 

In answer to this we sent the following: "Our 
request was only a precaution to prevent any 
possible mistakes and as we understand is the 
custom and practice to do and that our request 
is only in common fairness. J. K. W., E. M. D. r 
opr. M Then we received as follows: "We do 
not keep a record of messages passing between 
us and therefore cannot give word for word, 
but we will give to them your message as near 
as possible. That is all we can say. You have 
to take our word for it, or not, just as you feel 
about it. D." In* answer to the foregoing I 
sent to "D" the following: " Quibbling is never 
in good taste so we will say in conclusion, you 
can do as you like in repeating our message to 
our friends. We do not speak directly or indi- 
rectly for them in the premises. If the matter 
in controversy is referred to us as you say it is 
by our friends, you have our answer. We will 
not be led in any direction nor to any extent 
by entities or intelligences from your side of life 
except those of our own selection, and by them 
only so far as our judgment dictates to us that 
it is safe and best to follow. J. K. W., E. M. D., 
opr." And then this answer came: "Good night, 
gentlemen. We do not blame you for so con- 
cluding as the matter stands at present. Let 
each man be on his guard and the best man 
shall win. No further call will be recognized to- 
night. D." 

Well, the last message signed "D" who I take 
it stands for "Deus" practically admits that the 



death; the meaning and result. 431 

enemy have abandoned all hope of bringing us 
to their terms by tactics which they have em- 
ployed for a few da} r s past. They have thrown 
down the gauntlet and the issue is formed. The 
conflict is still on with our spirit leaders in the 
power of opposing forces, and our "sworn ene- 
mies, " as they style themselves, still free but 
unseen, to raze to the ground, so to speak the 
psychological wall surrounding our respective 
personalities and thus expose us to their subtle 
potency and power. We shall be on the watch. 
In matters objective and subjective "eternal vig- 
ilance is the price of liberty. " If we are not 
permitted to again see, hear and talk with our 
spirit friends on this side of the great divide we 
shall perhaps enjoy the privilege of doing so on 
the other side, and during the interim we shall 
be buoyed up by that which is expressed in that 
little word with such significance, HOPE. 

October 10, 1894-. Fourteen days have come 
and gone, as this great planet swings around 
on its centre, since the last meeting, so far as 
we know, with friend or foe. During this time 
we have heard nothing from our spirit friends 
or "sworn enemies" on the other side of life. No 
doubt our friends are silent perforce and our 
enemies from choice. Mr. Dallas and I have 
spent a portion of nearly every evening togeth- 
er. Often have we called over the line via the 
telegraph instrument for our friends but no an- 
swer came back to us. It is evident that the 
force in power was playing a game of mum. 



432 death; the meaning and result. 

Until yesterday the telegraph instrument had 
remained connected up as usual but its persist- 
ent silence convinced us that for the present at 
least it has outlived its usefulness. To demon- 
strate to the adverse element, should they be in 
position to observe our movements, that we 
could also play in the mum and wait game, I 
disconnected the instrument from the battery 
and packed all securely in a drawer of the dres- 
ser in my private office. It may be that it will 
never again be called into requisition, never 
again respond to the touch of a friendly spirit 
of the silent border land. Still somehow, I do 
not know why, I have hope. It is now my 
highest ambition to be of some service, if I can, 
in restoring to statu quo my spirit friends who 
have done so much for me, in making clear to 
my understanding that it is not "all of life to 
live or all of death to die." No matter what 
the sacrifice may be, if I can in any way help 
them in their time of reverse and trouble, I am 
and shall be more than willing and anxious to 
do so. Mr. Dallas, I am sorry to say, is con- 
siderably discouraged. He seems to think that 
there is no hope or possible chance of again be- 
ing brought into close relation with our spirit 
friends. I do not wonder at his conclusions. 
Things as they are at the present time, rather 
favor his judgment. There comes to me, how- 
ever, from where, whom, or how, I do not know, 
a mandate to be patient, wait and hope. I shall 
obey it and be as resigned as it is possible for 



death; the meaning and result. 433 

me to be. Time solves many puzzling problems. 
On October 18, Mr. Dallas and I met at my 
office. We have met every evening since the 14, 
but up to this evening we have heard nothing 
from border land. At 9:45 p. m. we were sit- 
ting in my private office engaged in conversa- 
tion when a rap greeted our ears. We were all 
attention. It was a strange rap, but it might 
be some friend and then again it might be an 
enemy. As we listened a succession of raps came 
and developed into rapping telegraphy and we 
received the following message: "Don't speak, I 
am a friend. Your friends over here need help. 
Be patient. Rome was not built in a day. 
Good bye." Neither Air. Dallas or I spoke to 
the unseen visitor. He, whoever he was, so en- 
joined us; neither did we speak to each other at 
the time concerning the message, but engaged in 
a conversation on common mundane topics. I 
felt at the time, as Mr. Dallas informed me he 
felt, that the operator was indeed a friend, and 
as he stepped out of our presence an enemy ap- 
peared upon the scene and hence the impress we 
each experienced to be silent. At the time the 
message was given, a name flashed on my brain. 
The name was the name of an entire stranger 
to me. One whom I had never met in earth life. 
It came to me as I have said simultaneously 
with the message though in a different way, 
and I was so taken up with the message and 
its contents that at the time I thought of no 
connection between the message I received and 



434 death; the meaning and result. 

the name that came to me in siich a different 
way. The operator came unexpectedly and de- 
parted suddenly, but the name is with me still, 
as well as the telegram. It may be that the 
name so mysteriously photographed on my 
brain is the name of the one who sent the tele- 
gram. That is something, however, time will 
alone develop. This news gives me more hope. 
Our spirit friends undoubtedly have someone 
who is not in captivity willing to help them if 
he can. I like the tone of the message. I think 
1 see in it volumes of hidden meaning. 

Since the memorable night of September 13 th 
last Mr. Dallas and I have with but few excep- 
tions spent the evenings together. To me, since 
that date, have been many long daj^s which 
have wearily lapsed into night and long sleep- 
less nights which have merged into days, com- 
ing and going with nature's regularity, and with 
now and then an exception, nothing to particu- 
larly distinguish the one following the preceding 
one. In order to be in a position to be more 
together I had provided an additional bed and 
put my house in as good order as I could, and 
induced Mr. Dallas to take permanent quarters 
with me, hence we are more together which fact 
affords more opportunities for our friends from 
the border land to reach us in person or by 
messenger. None of them have been able, until 
this November 25, to reach us in person, but 
have so managed to reach us by messenger a 
very few times. On October 25, Mr. Dallas and 



death; the meaning and result. 435 

I were sitting in my private office at 9:30 p. m. 
when we heard a faint rap on the floor. We 
listened attentively, the raps increased and by 
rapping telegraphy gave us the following mes- 
sage: "Your friends desired me to come here 
and say that they are all well but still in captiv- 
ity. Good night. Sam McBride." On the 31st 
of October, we received the following message 
by rapping telegraphy: "Mr. Sumner and Dr. 
Shoemaker have escaped from captivity. Good 
night. E." On the 8th of November, the follow- 
ing message by the same process: "All are well. 
Have patience. Good night. E." On the 15th 
of November at 10 p. m. we received in the same 
way the following message: "Prof. F. R. S. has 
escaped. Be of good cheer. Good night. E." 
On the 21st of November we w^ere delighted to 
receive the following message by rapping tele- 
graphy: "Hello, boys. Just slipped in to say I 
am, together with several of your friends, again 
at liberty. All are well. Say nothing. Good 
night. Plum Mitchell." And on this evening 
November 25th at 5 p. m., we received in the 
same way the following: "Good afternoon, gen- 
tlemen, all of your spirit friends whom j^ou know 
intimately, excepting Dr. Eddy have succeeded 
in gaining their liberty. I am not permitted 
now to enter into details. The Professor and 
Mr. Sumner sent me here today to say to you, 
that they, in company with Dr. Shoemaker, will 
be here on the afternoon of the 29th of this 
month at 12:45 p. m. and if all works well will 



436 death; the meaning and result. 

take dinner with you. Connect up the telegraph 
instrument and attach to battery in the middle 
room at 12:30 p. m. on the 29th. I will be here 
to assist you. Say nothing to each other about 
this appointment. Good bye. Plum Mitchell." 
So, thanks to providence and good strong 
friends in the border land we are again to have 
the great pleasure of once again meeting our 
spirit friends. I will also add that at the time 
we received the two last messages we were quite 
sure the operating was done by Plum Mitchell, 
but for fear of impersonation we requested him 
to give us certain passwords and sentences 
which satisfied us that the messages were genu- 
ine. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

Spirits Shoemaker, Prof. F. R. S., Plum Mitchell and 
Charles Sumner Present — What They Sa\ r — Enter- 
tained at Dinner — Speak of Their Captivity— How- 
Liberated — Wonderful Message by Spirits Sumner, F. 
R. S., Shoemaker, Mitchell and Mason — Plan formu- 
lated — Telegrams From Spirit Sumner — Telegram 
From Spirit Prof. F. R. S.— Working on Plan— Wil- 
son and Dallas to Leave Bradford — Destination — In- 
structions — When to Depart — Where and When to 
Meet. 

November 29th, 1894. Mr. Dallas and I were 
elated and a trifle anxious. We were expecting 
guests from the border land, whom we had not 
met since the memorable evening of September 
13th. In reality not a great lapse of time, but 
so many things had happened during the interim 
that the meeting today promised to be more 
than passing interest. In the darkest hour of 
our friends' imprisonment I had hoped, as might 
be said, against hope, that soon the captives 
might be free, and now I am to experience the 
realization of that hope so sedulously entertain- 



438 death; the meaning and result. 

ed, by meeting my long absent friends face to 
face. We got the appointments in readiness to 
receive our expected visitors. At 12:30 p. m. 
we connected up the telegraph instrument in the 
middle room of my office, and at 12:40, we re- 
ceived the following message: "Good afternoon. 
All O. K. Friends will be here on time. Plum 
Mitchell. " At 12:45 the instrument was again 
manipulated by an unseen operator and gave 
us the following message: "Good afternoon, gen- 
tlemen. Hope you are both well. We are all 
extremely happy to meet you again in this 
way. There are present to greet you with this 
salutation, Dr. Shoemaker, Prof. F. R. S., Plum 
Mitchell and Charles Sumner, our leader. P. M., 
opr." 

We both bid our guests good day and then I 
remarked: "My friends, I am indeed happy to 
meet you all. I cannot express my joy to know 
that once again conditions accord us this privi- 
lege. I can say, however, I congratulate you on 
your timely escape from the power and domin- 
ion of your enemies. " Immediately we received 
the following telegram: "Our dear friend and 
brother: At last we are again to dine together. 
We can hardly find words to express our delight, 
but will make up something to say later on. 
We will also give }^ou all directions before com- 
mencing with the most important part of the 
work. For all, P. M., opr." And immediately 
the following: "We will not express our satis- 
faction of meeting here today, at the present 



death; the meaning and result. 439 

time, but will leave all until after dinner. We 
are ready for dinner when 3-011 are. We will 
not accompany you to the hotel. We are in- 
formed that you are to dine today at the St 
James and we will meet you at the Hotel. Af- 
ter dinner we will hold our meeting, time about 
3:30. P. M., opr." And then this: "I might say 
that it will not be necessan^ to come up here 
directly after dinner as we would like to smoke 
and have a walk to digest the dinner. We wish 
to say that during the meal you are to say 
nothing about our presence and do not address 
us by name. Dr. W. P. S." In reply I said: 
"All right, gentlemen, I understand. We will 
now go to the St. James Hotel for dinner.' ' 

Mr. Dallas and I left the office at 1:30 p. m. 
for the Hotel. During the meal we heard very 
little of our spirit friends. Once in a while a 
rap to let us know that thej^ were present. Af- 
ter the meal Dallas and I took a walk, but we 
heard nothing of our friends during our stroll. 
We returned to the office at 3 o'clock. At 3:30 
the instrument ticked off the following wonder- 
ful message: "Dear Brothers: If the gratitude 
of our eternal love and help will in a way rec- 
ompense you for the noble way in which you 
have assisted us to overcome our enemies, you 
have it and not only ours but the entire spirit 
world of love. This in itself would be but little 
reward for the great services rendered to us all, 
if we did not know what a glorious life awaits 
you in the spirit world. But a short space of 



440 death; the meaning and result. 

time longer, and you will both enter into the 
great work of the future. Always have confi- 
dence in us, for although you can not see us at 
present, we are ever on the watch to guard and 
protect you from all plots of the enemy, and 
remember it is always the darkest before the 
dawn breaks. 

"Immediately after the severe check we receiv- 
ed from the enemy, our people found that their 
entire leadership had been taken from them and 
that they were utterly powerless to act in any 
direction. Remaining in this condition for some 
time, any hope which at first seemed to glimmer 
in the distance faded away before the great 
wall, which was built by the enemy, our foes. 
But happily for the cause and us, a leader came 
forward and offered our friends his services, for 
he was in every way capable of managing and 
directing our cause in our absence. That gen- 
tlemen you both know, as he came here several 
times to encourage you, when no one else dared 
venture. 

"He at once proceeded to gather up the several 
threads where they were broken off, and after 
much hard work and skill succeeded in establish- 
ing a means of correspondence between him and 
us. The master piece of the whole work w^as 
the liberation of Dr. Shoemaker and Mr. Charles 
Sumner. You can form no conception of the 
many dangers encountered in rescuing these 
gentlemen from the prison within a prison, 
provided for them by our foes. Suffice it to say 



death; the meaning and result. 441 

that after much plotting this was accomplished, 
and then the work of liberating the others fol- 
lowed. This again took much time and trouble, 
but as we were too much for them, succeeded in 
this also. On our side we knew that you under- 
stood how everything came about from the first 
break up to the present time, as Mr. Sumner 
still maintained that force of penetration which 
enabled him to telegraph his thoughts to the 
brain of Mr. Wilson, so that you knew exactly 
what position we were placed in. 

"Gentlemen, you acted like generals. You did 
not despair but stood strong, bound more firmly 
together in such a manner that whatever inten- 
tion or design the enemy had upon you they 
saw clearly that all hope in their controlling you 
was lost. The result of this move was as we 
anticipated, so that once again, gentlemen, we 
are all for the present in a position of safety. 
Although we have not exterminated the band of 
spirits who wish to usurp our cause and work, 
still we are strong enough to give you the satis- 
faction of communicating with us on this tele- 
graph instrument. 

"We will not attempt to explain to you at 
present how the last break occurred, but will leave 
that matter until a future date when we will 
have more strength and time at our command. 
Our work at the present time is to repair and 
build up as fast as possible that which the enemy 
destroyed. We will explain to you first the sit- 
uation as we see it from our side and then show 
you how this is to be rebuilt. 



442 death; the meaning and result. 

"The enemy have destroyed all our wires lead- 
ing from this office to our headquarters and now 
possess and occupy the intervening space between 
you and us. This necessitates our friends to 
soar far above their line of power in order that 
we may reach you without their being able to 
perceive what direction we take. Now this 
method is both dangerous and fatiguing so that 
at all hazards we will have to regain our old 
position. But after looking over the ground 
carefully we find it would not be policy to boldly 
attack them in open battle as we can illy spare 
the strength and force, and situated as they are 
at present a yqtj strong force would have to be 
brought to bear on them. 

"Well, gentlemen, w r e have a plan from the 
master brain of Charles Sumner which, if follow- 
ed closed by you, will no doubt save us all 
this trouble. 

"Now observe the directions that follow: The 
enemy have no idea that we will attempt to 
continue the work while they hold their present 
position, and as long as they guard the outside 
walls they think you are safe from us, but we 
are glad to state that in no way can they see 
or enter into this office, therefore if we changed 
our meeting place and did so carefully and in 
secret, the chances are we could establish a 
close connection and build up a force between 
us which would def} r them before they could dis- 
cover what we were about. 

"It was our intention in the summer to send 



death; the meaning and result. 443 

you to the Southern Camp in Florida, to con- 
tinue and complete our work, as we hardly had 
enough time to do so at Lily Dale. It is our 
intention to do so now and this is how you are 
to proceed in the matter: 

"The camp opens about Febuary 1st and you 
will endeavor to get there as soon after we 
advise you as possible. At a future date we will 
give you the exact time of starting. You will 
take everything necessary to your staying there 
for two months or longer. We will try and 
arrange even^thing for you as far as lays in our 
power, as we did at Lily Dale. On your jour- 
ney down there you will not attempt to commu- 
nicate with us, nor after you arrive, or in any way 
pay any attention to your work until such time 
as we shall advise you, and above all you must 
not let anyone know your destination. Mr. 
Wilson, can saj^ that he is going on a visit to 
his sister in Denver, Colorado, and Mr. Dallas 
will give out that he is going to Scotland. 

"Mr. Dallas will give up his present situation 
as soon after the first of January as possible, so 
that his mind and time will be free from all bus- 
iness cares and be prepared for us. We will 
also want him to leave Bradford for a short 
time before starting for the South, but full par- 
ticulars about this matter will be given later. 

4 'This plan with the aid of us on this side will 
lead the enenu^ (should they discover anything) 
in the direction we wish them to take, and if on 
the other hand they find out nothing we will 



444 death; the meaning and result. 

also be safe. In the meantime we will have a 
meeting on a future date which has not yet been 
decided on and we shall see that the enemy are 
around and spying on us at that meeting. We 
■will tell you that we will give up the work for 
the present as we have not the power, and will 
beg of you to give it up also. You will do all 
you can to help us to deceive them and lead 
them to believe that we have failed to complete 
our work. Mr. Dallas' going away for a week 
or two afterwards will give color to our remarks. 

"In conclusion we say that if you play your 
parts well we will have no difficulty in working 
our plans out successfully. You will see each 
part fits the other and we have to thank our 
leader, Mr. Sumner, for it all. He has looked 
over the result on each point carefully, and 
studied every detail, so that it is the opinion of 
us all that the outcome of it all can only be 
success. 

"Our meetings hereafter will have to be in se- 
cret and when we know the enemy is otherwise 
engaged. Today we sent half of our force to 
fight against them while we were here with you. 

"Follow us carefully and in the end which is 
not far distant you will be the Christs of the 
Nineteenth Century, held in respect by princes 
and kings, as far above them as the noon-day 
sun. 

"We are glad to be here again today and only 
wish we could stay with you for supper but we 
must not run any chances. 



death; the meaning and result. 445 

"There is so much in detail we have omitted 
to say owing to the short time left to us, but 
we will find other opportunities before long. We 
have given \^ou today an outline of the plan so 
that you can be preparing for the time when it 
comes. 

"Thanking Mr. Dallas for the effort he has 
made in getting our message correctly, we 
remain, dear brothers, forever and ever your 
loving spirit friends. Charles Sumner, Prof. F. 
R. S., William P. Shoemaker, Plum Mitchell, Har- 
vev Mason." 

This is, as I have already stated, a wonderful 
message sent from start to finish without inter- 
mission, except a few moments of time, when 
the sending operators spelled each other, in 
changing positions. The sending operators were 
spirits Prof. F. R. S., Plum Mitchell and Harvey 
Mason. One of them would operate a few min- 
utes and then give away and another take his 
place and so on. The sending or operating 
rather, seemed to tire them. The receiving oper- 
ator was Mr. Dallas, who, with pad and pencil, 
recorded it as received. I was about four feet 
from the instrument. Air. Dallas, busy with pen- 
cil, writing it as received, occupied a position of 
about the same distance from the key of the 
instrument. Wonderful sight! Convincing phe- 
nomenon! The telegraph instrument ticking off 
the long, well worded and intelligent message, 
no visible agenc} r near the ke}^, no outside con- 
nection in any way reaching it. Neither Mr. Dal- 



446 death; the meaning and result. 

las nor myself were able to see our spirit friends 
on this occasion. They were centering their 
force in another direction, that of operating a 
common Morse telegraph instrument, which they 
had often done before, with as much strength 
and vigor as any operator in mortal form could 
do, which to me at least is as great a phenom- 
enon as to address themselves to mortal vision 
or to the sense of mortal hearing by spirit voice. 

After a few minutes rest the instrument resumed 
and gave us the following: "Well, gentlemen, 
we have already stayed over our time by a few 
minutes. Think over the plan outlined in our 
message. We will find other opportunities to 
meet. We enjoyed the dinner very much and will 
say good bye for the present. Charles Sumner.' y 

In reply I said: "Good afternoon, gentlemen. 
We are much gratified by your presence today. 
Come again as soon as possible and during the 
interim we will think over the plan outlined in 
your message." 

On December 1, spirit Mitchell visited us at 8 
a. m. and informed us that Mr. Sumner would 
be with us on the second of December, at 7:30 
p. m. and requested us to have the telegraph 
instrument in readiness in the middle office for 
Mr. Sumner's use on his arrival. Accordingly I 
had the instrument in readiness and awaited 
the arrival of our expected guest on the second 
day of December. At 7:30 p. m. we received the 
following message: "Good evening, gentlemen. 
I hope you are both well. Charles Sumner." In 



death; the meaning and result. 447 

reply to this we bade Mr. Sumner good evening 
and informed him that we were in our usual 
health and also remarked as follows: "Mr. Sum- 
ner, I have ascertained since } r our last visit here 
that the Spiritualists have abandoned their plan 
of holding a series of meetings at Lake Helen 
this winter. That is the place as I take it from 
your last message to us on the 29th of Novem- 
ber, you had in view as Mr. Dallas' and my 
destination w T hen you spoke of sending us to 
the Southern Camp." Immediately we received 
the following message: "That is something new 
to me. We understood, while at Lily Dale last 
summer and since, that all w r ould be in readiness 
for such purpose in Febuary. That was some 
time ago, however, and we have not enquired 
into the matter since. This will alter our plans. 
Our going away to Camp in Florida gave us the 
opportunity we required to get away from the 
enemy in secret, but in my opinion am^ other 
direction would suit as well. We will have to 
locate you somewhere until w r e accomplish what 
we explained to you in our former message. 
Charles Sumner." In reply I said: "I am sony 
that conditions are such as will compel you to 
change your plan. I wish to sa\^ to 3-ou that Mr.. 
Dallas and I have talked over the matter and 
have fully concluded to be led by our spirit 
friends now as in the past." 

Immediately the following was ticked off:: 
"Thank you. We appreciate the confidence you 
have in us. Yes, this will change our plan some- 



448 death; the meaning and result. 

what. I will have to consult the Doctor and 
Prof. F. R. S. in the matter immediately. This 
will be all for this evening and I will bid you 
good night. Charles Sumner/ ' 

On December 9, at 9 a. m., Mr. Dallas and I 
being together at my office, we received the fol- 
lowing message via telegraph instrument: "Good 
morning, gentlemen. Mr. Sumner has told us, 
and we have otherwise found out, that there is 
to be no Camp in Florida this year. We have 
not come to any conclusion as to choice of place, 
as we have to locate you where we can get the 
best results. After looking several cities over 
carefully, we find a disadvantage in each but ex- 
pect before another week has passed we will find 
a place suitable for our work. 

"I am in favor of the West, but Mr. Sumner 
thinks the journey too far for you to undertake. 
However, we will decide this week. Dr. Shoe- 
maker is in favor of the South. 

"I am glad to state that Dr. W. D. Eddy has 
escaped from the enemy and is among his friends 
again. So you see we are getting more strength 
every day. 

"The enemy are on the watch night and day, 
but we manage to elude them and must con- 
tinue to do so until the day we all meet in the 
open field. 

"Further instructions we cannot give you until 
next Sunday. We would like to visit you during 
the week but think it safer to be here as little 
as possible. We will hold the meeting we spoke 



death; the meaning and result. 449 

to you about immediately after the city or place 
is decided on. Prof. F. R. S., P. M., opr." Ire- 
plied to this: " Professor, I am glad to meet you 
again. We note all you say in your message. 
It makes but little difference to us where you 
send us." And then this message: "This will 
be all this morning and unless occasion requires 
we will not see you until on the 16th of this 
month. Good day. F. R. S., P. M., opr." 

On December 16, at 10 a. m. Mr. Dallas and I 
met in the middle room of my office. We had 
connected up the telegraph instrument in the 
usual way, as we were expecting some of our 
spirit friends. We had been advised yesterday 
by Plum Mitchell that some of them would visit 
us at this hour and instructed us to have every- 
thing in readiness. At 10:05 a. m. we received 
the following message: "Good morning, gentle- 
men, we hope we find you well. Charles Sumner, 
Dr. W. P. Shoemaker." After bidding our friends 
good morning, the instrument resumed and 
gave us this message: " Gentlemen, we have at 
last decided where our work is to be renewed. 
Jacksonville, Florida is the place. We have look- 
ed over mam^ other towns and cities, but in no 
place could we find such good advantages as in 
Jacksonville. The West coast has been spoken 
of very favorably by F. R. S. and several others 
but we consider the journey too far and the 
conditions not much better than in Jacksonville 

"The arrangements we have made for you will 
be given on the first Sunday of the New Year, as 
at present we have not completed in detail. 



450 death; the meaning and result. 

"I am glad to say to you, that we are work- 
ing along our present lines with much success 
and you have helped us well. 

"The enemy know nothing, but still keep a 
sharp lookout. Although you do not hear from 
them from time to time, they have not by any 
means forgotten you, so do not get careless, but 
be as cautious as ever. 

"You will be delighted to hear that Dr. Eddy, 
is progressing favorabbr and will soon be able 
to return to work with us and we shall be very 
glad of it, for he is of great help. 

"Keep right on in the way you have been do- 
ing until you hear from us again. You under- 
stand why we do not spend more time with you, 
not from any reason of our own. Your fellow 
worker, William Patterson Shoemaker, M. D.' r 

A few moments of rest after receiving the last 
message and then this was given: "Gentlemen, 
the Doctor, has given you as much information 
as I think necessary at present, and I have but 
one word to add. Rest assured that all will go 
well and success awaits us at each turn of the 
road. It gives us much pleasure to have all in 
readiness for you when the time comes, so keep 
a good heart. Everything is drawing slowly 
but surely to a final victory. Charles Sumner." 

Mr. Dallas and myself after receiving these 
messages, informed the Doctor and Mr. Sumner, 
orally, that the place selected was agreeable to 
each of us, and that we would be read}^ to start 
at any time they instructed us to do so. In re- 



death; the meaning and result. 451 

ply to this they both thanked us and then said: 
' ' Well, gentlemen, that is all for today. You will 
hear from us again soon. Good day. \Y. P. S., 
opr." 

January 6, 1895. At 10 a. m. on this date,. 
Mr. Dallas and I were engaged in connecting up 
the telegraph instrument with the battery and 
preparing to receive our spirit friends, for we 
had been told that the arrangements for leaving 
Bradford, Pa. for Jacksonville, Florida, would be 
given to us on the first Sunday of the New Year, 
and this is the day. After the instrument was 
connected up and everything in readiness, we 
took seats to await developments in the middle 
room of my office. We had not long to wait 
for soon the instrument began to tick, operated 
bv that mvsterious unseen power, and we re- 
ceived the following message: "Good morning, 
gentlemen, hope you are both well. This is the 
day we set to give you instructions concerning 
the Contemplated trip. Mr. Dallas will provide 
himself with pad and pencil and write what we 
have to say through the use of the instrument. 
Prof. F. R.~ S., Charles Sumner, Dr. William P. 
Shoemaker." 

Mr. Dallas and I orally bid the gentlemen 
good morning and informed them that we were 
as well as usual and very glad to have them 
with us again. Mr. Dallas provided with pad 
and pencil took his seat at the table, received 
and wrote the following message as it was tick- 
ed off bv the instrument: "Gentlemen and. 



452 death; the meaning and result. 

Brothers: We are here today to give you your 
final instructions, and trust you will carry them 
out faithfully. 

"First. Mr. Dallas will leave Bradford about 
January 24th or 25th for good. He can use his 
own judgment where to go and how to act un- 
til you both meet again. Dr. Shoemaker tells 
me that Air. Dallas has friends in Canada. If 
agreeable to him it would suit us well, that 
he would visit there until we want him. If such 
arrangements can be made, Mr. D. must act 
there as if he is on his vacation, and let no re- 
mark fall during his visit where he is going. 

"On the evening of the 14th of February he 
will meet Mr. Wilson at Buffalo, N. Y. During 
the intervening time you can both write to each 
other, but no other party is to know the loca- 
tion of Air. Dallas. 

"Mr. Wilson will leave Bradford for Buffalo on 
the 13th of February, taking all baggage of 
both parties with him. On the evening of the 
14th of February, you will both meet at the 
Stafford House on Washington St., Buffalo, N. Y. 

"After breakfast on the morning of the 15th, 
Mr. Charles Sumner will be with you to advise 
you on any point of uncertainty that may turn 
up. As soon as Mr. Sumner is with you, you 
can immediately make all arrangements to go 
south. Everything is to be arranged in Buffalo, 
N. Y., and you must not return to Bradford, Pa. 
until you have our permission to do so. 

"After you leave Buffalo for Jacksonville, you 



death; the meaning and result. 453 

can take your own time about getting there. If 
your tickets admit of stop over at any point of 
the route. 3^ou may do so, in order that you may 
completely cover up your tracks. We wish 3^ou 
to take as much pleasure out of the journey as 
possible and be in no hurry in any direction. 
We leave route to Jacksonville, to your own 
choice. Take the one which suits you best and 
that will satisf}^ us also. 

"Before leaving Biadford make all arrange- 
ments to have any mail that may come to } r ou 
here left in care of some trustworthy party, such 
as J. G., who shall forward same to private 
Post Office box, which j t ou can procure on \-our 
arrival at Jacksonville. You w^ill register there 
as E. M. D. and J. K. W. of Buffalo" X. Y., and 
Mr. D. is to be the nephew of J. K. W. You 
are both traveling for pleasure and will try and 
act as such, as no doubt there wall be many 
eyes on you, trying to "find out what your busi- 
ness is. 

"We have not at present selected a house to 
locate you in at Jacksonville, so that on your 
arrival, 3'ou will put up at a good confortable 
Hotel until we give you further notice. Make no 
attempt to communicate with us at the hotel 
and do not get anxious if }^ou do not hear from 
us for four or five "days. You may rest assur- 
ed that we, in the meantime will be looking af- 
ter your interests and take good care to have 
you in our midst all of the time. 

"When all is in readiness we shall send Dr. S. 



454 death; the meaning and result. 

who will rap as usual and give you the follow- 
ing passwords . Take no notice of anyone 

else, or any spirit or rap, unless the passwords 
are given first, and above all be careful not to 
write or mention the passwords after you leave 
this room. From him you will learn how to pro- 
ceed further. 

"In our work we think it will be a better plan 
to give you the directions as we go along, so 
that they will be fresher in your memory and 
you will not have so much to remember at one 
time, also, what you do not know cannot reach 
or be reached by any other spirit who may try 
to gain access to your atmosphere. 

"As far as we can see for the present 3^ou will 
spend about nine weeks in the south of Florida, 
so you will be careful and see that you take 
everything you may require with you, so that 
your minds will be perfectly at rest. We will 
leave all minor details to your own judgments, 
which have guided you well up to the present 
time. We clo not limit you to any action, place 
or time which is not occupied by us. Act as you 
feel, go anywhere and you can do almost any- 
thing after leaving Buffalo. You will understand 
by that, that you are at liberty to do as you 
please when we do not require your services, 
and that the strict lookout while here in Brad- 
ford, may not be carried in any other city, Mr. 
Wilson will arrange all his private business in 
Bradford, so that only the most important will 
have to be forwarded to Jacksonville. 



death; the meaning and result. 455 

"If there is any thing else, or any questions 
to be asked, I will be here myself in person to 
answer them on Sunday, January 1 - 20th. 

''The meeting we spoke of will be held between 
the 21st and 24th of January, but will decide 
later what day and hour and will let you know 
so you can be prepared for same. We are fully 
satisfied that all is to be successful and that our 
work will soon be rolling on with such force 
that no sect or community can dare to resist us. 

"We are progressing even better than we an- 
ticipated and are now waiting anxiously for 
the time when we can all grasp each other by 
the hand and see one another as in the days of 
our beginning; that we know, and all are fully 
satisfied, is very close at hand. Your brother 
workers, Prof. F. R. 3., operator, Charles Sum- 
ner and Dr. William P. Shoemaker." 

The telegraph instrument stopped and we had 
on paper this wonderful message, so plain, so 
w^ell connected and to the point that its mean- 
ing could not be misunderstood. We know now 
when to start on our mission, where to go, how 
to deport in order that the wishes of our spirit 
friends be complied with. Well, after reading 
the message in which no corrections were neces- 
sary, I said orally: "Gentlemen, this message is 
plain and thoroughly understood by Air. Dallas 
and myself and your plan as mapped out for us 
to do will be strictly observed by us in every 
detail. I hope and we both hope, that you may 
be successful in your undertaking. We are ready 



456 death; the meaning and result. 

to serve you to the end in assisting you in your 
work. We will be ready to start at the time 
you suggest and will closly follow directions.' ' 

When I ceased speaking the telegraph instru- 
ment again began to tick and gave us the fol- 
lowing: "Thank you, gentlemen. We think that 
is all for the present. Will meet you here on 
January 20th. Good day. Prof. F. R. S., opr." 

The instrument came to a rest. Our spirit 
friends had evidently departed and left Mr. Dal- 
las and myself to wonder where it would end. 
Time alone can tell. I wish to add in explana- 
tion of the meeting, referred to in the message, 
to be held on January 21st to 24th, it had been 
spoken of by the spirit F. R. S. at a previous 
meeting and is fully understood by us. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

Spirit F. R. S. Present— What He Says— Dallas Leaves- 
Bradford— Wilson Leaves Bradford— Experience — 
Wilson and Dallas Meet at Buffalo — Meet Spirit 
Sumner— Instructs Wilson and Dallas— Leave Buffalo 
for Washington, D. C. — At Washington— Meet Spirit 
Mitchell— Mitchell Criticises Manner of Registering— 
Enemy Discover Wilson's and Dallas' Absence— Effort 
to Trace— Ordered to Proceed to Charlotte, N. C— 
Leave Washington— At Charlotte— Meet Spirit Mitch- 
ell — Informed That Enemy had Traced to Buffalo — 
Ordered to Savannah, Ga. — At Savannah — Meet Spirit 
Mitchell— Efforts of Enenw to Find Wilson and Dal- 
las—Ordered to Jacksonville, Fla.— Meet Spirit Mitch- 
ell—Keep Advised— Spirit Mitchell Consults R. R. 
Time-Table— Meet Spirit Mason— Ordered to St. Au- 
gustine, Fla. 

On January 20, at 11 a. m. Mr. Dallas and I 
were seated in the middle room of my office en- 
gaged in conversation on the topics of the da}-. 
At the conclusion of our last meeting with our 
spirit friends we had disconnected the telegraph 
instrument from the batterv. We had been con- 
versing for some few minutes when suddenly 
there came loud and distinct raps, near where 



458 death; the meaning and result. 

Mr. Dallas was seated; familiar raps, however, 
and we recognized them as being produced by 
our spirit friend, Prof. F. R. S. By rapping tel- 
egraphy he informed us that he desired the tele- 
graph instrument connected with the battery 
which we did forthwith. After we had complet- 
ed the connection we took seats and the instru- 
ment began to tick and gave us this message: 
"Gentlemen, I meet you here today by appoint- 
ment at our last meeting. Is there any question 
you wish to ask or any further information you 
desire in relation to your southern trip? Prof. 
F. R. S." 

I replied to this message orally: "We are al- 
ways glad to meet you, Professor. Your message 
at our last meeting is so plain and full that I 
think that Mr. Dallas and I fully understand in 
detail what you expect us to do, and I do not 
think I have any questions to ask in relation to 
our southern trip." Mr. Dallas also informed 
the Professor, that he had no questions to ask, 
and then this message via instrument: "All 
right, gentlemen. I am glad that I made my 
former message full and plain which I tried to 
do. I will be here again tomorrow evening. 
Nothing of importance, but as we desire Mr. 
Dallas to leave Bradford, on Januarj^ 24th, as 
intimated in former message, will merely call and 
be prepared to answer any questions which may 
be suggested to your mind during the interim. 
Good day. Prof] F. R. S." 

On January 21st at 8:30 p. m., Mr. Dallas 



death; the meaning and result. 459 

and I connected up the instrument at the usual 
place as we expected a call from spirit F. R. S. 
Very soon thereafter we received this message: 
"Good evening, gentlemen." We each said, orally: 
"Good evening, Professor." The instrument re- 
sumed: "Well, gentlemen, everything is in read- 
iness for our start. Mr. Dallas as beforesaid 
will leave Bradford on Januaay 24th. I am told 
that he has concluded to spend the time to Feb- 
ruary 14th with his relatives in Canada. I do 
not know of am^thing else to add. Do you wish 
to ask questions?" I replied: "No, I do not de- 
sire to ask any questions. I think we under- 
stand your instructions thoroughbr." The tele- 
graphing resumed: "I think we understand 
everything in relation to our trip in detail so 
far as is necessary to know at the present time, 
so will say good night. Prof. F. R. S." 

Air. Dallas and I were left alone to talk over 
and arrange the details for our departure from 
Bradford on a mission, so far as I know, never 
before attempted. Air. Dallas was to start on 
the 24th of January. He concluded that it was 
best for him to spend the time until we were to 
meet in Buffalo, X. \\, with his relatives in Can- 
ada. I am to leave Bradford on February; 13, 
1895. 

On January 24, at 8 a. m., we met at the 
usual place and connected the telegraph instru- 
ment with the battery. We had not been in- 
structed to do so, but did not know but what 
some detail of our undertaking had been over- 



460 death; the meaning and result. 

looked, if so, we were ready to receive any fur- 
ther instructions our spirit friends might wish to 
offer. We waited for some time but the instru- 
ment remained silent and hearing or seeing no 
indication that any of our friends from the bor- 
der land were present, we disconnected the in- 
strument and Mr. Dallas began preparations for 
the journey, which, as before mentioned, he was 
to make the start today. After concluding his 
preparations, Mr. Dallas left Bradford on the 
morning train for Canada, via Buffalo. What 
follows will be for a few pages a memorandum 
of my start on the contemplated trip and inci- 
dents connected therewith. 

Bradford, Pa., February 13, 1895. In three or 
four days after Mr. Dallas left Bradford, I re- 
ceived a letter from him informing me that he 
had reached his destination in Canada all right 
and without particular incident. This is the day 
vSet for me to make the start from here for the 
southern trip as per programme. Since Mr. 
Dallas' departure, I have not seen or heard any- 
thing from our spirit friends. They evidently 
consider their former instructions so full and 
plain that they have nothing to add and consid- 
er that it is not necessary for them to visit me 
before my start. I started from Bradford to 
Buffalo via the B. R. & P. R. R. at 7:45 a. m., 
having expressed Mr. Dallas' and my own bag- 
gage to Buffalo yesterdaj 7 . I saw no one nor 
heard nothing from the spirit world, but I felt 
sure as one can feel b\ r impression that some 



death; the meaning and result. 461 

strange spirit joined me on my way to the de- 
pot after departing from my office. The impres- 
sion gave me an uneasy feeling and I thought: 
"Can it be possible that an enemy from the spirit 
world is watching my movements?" however, I 
kept on and said nothing. On arriving at the 
depot I stepped into the Rochester Hotel to get 
a cup of coffee and lunch. While there Mr. Galla- 
gher, the proprietor, asked me where I was trav- 
eling to. I replied that I was going to Sala- 
manca, N. Y., from there to Olean, N. Y. and 
from there to Smithport, Pa. I answered thus, 
for the reason, that should any curious spirit be 
present listening to our conversation and curious 
to know where I was going, as I really expect- 
ed there was, that it would satisfy his curiosity 
and at the same time mislead as to my real des- 
tination. I speak of this in detail for the rea- 
son that subsequent events may prove my sus- 
picions well founded. I arrived in Buffalo, N. Y. 
at 11 a. m., without further incident and stop- 
ped at the Broezel Hotel. 

Buffalo, N. Y., February 14, 1895. I left the 
Broezel Hotel at 10 a. m., on this day and took 
up quarters at the Stafford House, registering 
there, J. K. Wilson, Bradford, Pa." 

At 4 p. m., Mr. Dallas arrived at the Stafford 
House, Buffalo, N. Y. as per previous arrange- 
ment and registered "E. M. Dallas, Bradford, 
Pa." Up to and including this time we had not 
been instructed as to how we should register at 
the hotels on our way to our destination south, 



462 death; the meaning and result. 

but we presume the proper way is to register in 
our own names. On this day we heard nothing 
whatever from our spirit friends. 

Stafford House, Buffalo, N. Y., February 15, 
1895. After Mr. Dallas and I had partaken of 
breakfast, we repaired to our room to await 
developments. We had not long to wait, for 
very soon we heard rapping telegraphy on the 
floor near by. We recognized it, or thought we 
did, and it proved to be our spirit friend, Plum 
Mitchell, with whom was our spirit friend Har- 
vey Mason. They informed us that spirit Char- 
les Sumner would visit us in about one hour, 
and that we had better connect the telegraph 
instrument with the battery, which I had 
brought with me, as it would be much easier 
for Mr. Sumner to say what he wished to say 
on the telegraph instrument than in any other 
way. We connected the instrument as instructed 
and waited until 10:30 a. m., when Charles 
Sumner answered on the instrument. He had 
nothing of great importance to say, but entered 
into general conversation with us about what 
route we would take to the Florida Coast. He 
said everything looked all right for success as 
far as he had been able to see, and instructed 
us to take the train at 7:30 p. m., February 16, 
via N. Y. C. R. R. on our way south which 
would get us to Washington, at 11 a. m. the fol- 
lowing day, and to stop at Washington, D. C. 
for further orders by our spirit friends. With 
these instructions and bidding us a happ} r jour- 
nev he left us. 



death; the meaning and result. 463 

Stafford House, Buffalo, X. Y., February 16, 
1895. After breakfasting, Mr. Dallas and I 
waited in our room for anything: that mis:ht 
come from the border land. About 10 a. m. 
spirits Plum Mitchell and Harvey Mason were 
on hand and reported by rapping telegraphy 
that everything looked rosy except that they 
had noticed a little commotion above normal 
among our opjDonents in the spirit world, which 
in their opinion, indicated that the enemy had 
discovered our absence from Bradford, and were 
anxious to learn our whereabouts, but said that 
they did not think anything serious would come 
of it. They also advised immediate preparations 
for our journey south in way of purchasing rail- 
road tickets, shipping our baggage etc., to be 
sure to take the train via X. Y. C. R. R. to 
Washington, D. C. at 7:30 p. m. and stop at 
Washington for further orders. They also in- 
formed us that they would remain in touch with 
us all day and if anything of importance turned 
up they would let us know. Accordingly we set 
about to purchase our tickets etc., for our jour- 
ney. On inquiry we found that we could pur- 
chase railroad tickets to Jacksonville, Fla. and 
return, at reduced rates, good until May 31, 
1895, with privilege to stop over going and 
coming, wherever so desired. We therefore, pur- 
chased a ticket each via Washington, D. C. from 
Buffalo to Jacksonville and return and checked 
our baggage through. At 7:30 p. in. we took 
the train on our journey. 



464 death; the meaning and result. 

Emerick Hotel, Washington, D. C, February 
17, 1895. We arrived here at 11 a. m. Noth- 
ing of importance happened on the route from 
Buffalo. Spirit Plum Mitchell reported to us on 
the railroad train when about two hours out 
from Buffalo. He communicated to us by rap- 
ping telegraphy which we could distinctly hear 
on the side of our car as we sat facing each 
other. He informed us that all was well and 
that he would be on the train with us until we 
arrived at Washington. On our arrival here we 
engaged rooms at the Emerick Hotel. After 
lunch we repaired to our room and soon heard 
rappings which proved to be produced by our 
spirit friend Mitchell. He informed us that he 
had nothing to report or say, except, that he 
had noticed that I had registered at the hotel 
here in my own name, which, he said, in his 
opinion was bad policy, for if the enemy among 
the spirit hosts traced us to Washington the 
name on the register would show them of my 
presence here. Mr. Dallas registered here, "F. 
P. Mac Donald.' ' I replied to Plum, that it did 
not occur to me to register under an assumed 
name, as I had not been instructed to do so, but 
perhaps I had better change the name now on 
the register; he suggested it would hardly do 
for it would excite the suspicion of the hotel 
clerk, and I had better let my name remain as 
it had been written. I then asked Plum, if in 
his opinion, Mr. Dallas and I were liable to be 
followed by the bad spirits and enemies. Spirit 



death; the meaning and result. 465 

Mitchell replied that it might be possible that 
we would be traced by our enemies, but in his 
opinion not probable; but as a precautionary 
measure he advised that hereafter on our jour- 
ney south, we register under an assumed name 
in a disguised handwriting at such place or 
places we might stop on our way to Jackson- 
ville. I inquired of the spirit how long Air. D. 
and I were to stop here? He replied that he 
had not been advised on that point, by the lead- 
ers of the movement, but as soon as he ascer- 
tained he would let us know, and that during 
the interim to go about the city and enjoy our- 
selves as best we could, bid us good day, and 
departed. 

Emerick Hotel, Washington, D. C, February 
18, 1895. Air. D. and the writer visited about 
this interesting city most of the day. We met 
Air. Alatt Ruddy and Air. John B. Brawley who 
formerly resided in Bradford, but are now living 
here. Air. Brawley showed us much courtesy, 
and accompanied us to several places of interest 
in the city. While I was glad in a social way 
to meet Air. Ruddj- and Air. Brawley here, it oc- 
curred to me that it might be to our detriment on 
this particular occasion, especially so, should they 
write to any of our acquaintances in Bradford 
and mention our presence in Washington. How- 
ever, I said nothing to Ruddy or Brawley that 
our mission was such that we preferred their 
silence in regard to our meeting. I thought it 
better to trust to luck on that score. 



466 death; the meaning and result. 

Emerick Hotel, Washington, D. C, February 
20, 1895. Nothing worthy of note happened 
yesterday. After lunch today we repaired to our 
rooms in the Hotel, lit a cigar each, and settled 
down to enjoy a smoke. We had not been 
engaged long when by rapping telegraphy we 
were informed that our spirit friend, Mitchell, 
"was present. He said that we were to leave 
Washington via Southern Railroad at 10:05 p. 
m. today, and travel as far as Charlotte, N. C. 
and remain there until further orders. He also 
said that the enemy had sent a spirit to trace 
Mr. Dallas and myself, but did not think any- 
thing would come of it. We informed him, orally, 
that we would observe instructions, at which 
the spirit bid us good clay and left. 

Ruport Hotel, Charlotte, N. C, February 21, 
1895. As instructed by spirit Mitchell, Mr. Dal- 
las and the writer left Washington, D. C. yes- 
terday at 10:05 p. m. via Southern Railroad and 
arrived here today at 8:30 a. m. Nothing 
occurred in transit worthy of note. After par- 
taking of breakfast we went to our room in 
the Hotel and soon thereafter spirit Mitchell 
informed us of his presence in the usual way. 
He had nothing of importance to report and 
no instructions to give. Mr. Dallas registered 
here "F. P. MacDonald" and I registered an 
assumed name each disguising our handwriting 
as best we could. 

Ruport Hotel, Charlotte, N. C, February 22, 
1895. After breakfast we went to our room 



death; the meaning and result. 467 

and soon thereafter were advised by spirit Mitch- 
ell that he was present. He informed us that 
the spirits leading the adverse force had traced 
us to Buffalo, X. Y. and ascertained that we 
had met there at the Stafford Hotel, but that 
they were at a loss to know in what direction 
we started from there. He also informed us 
that the enemy were active and much chagrined 
because of our flisrht and would use everv effort 
to find- our whereabouts. He also gave us 
instructions to leave Charlotte at 8:40 a. m. 
tomorrow for Savannah, Ga. 

February 23, 1895. We started for Savannah, 
Ga. at 9 p. m., via Florida Southern Railroad, 
as per instructions given to us yesterday and 
arrived at Savannah at 4 p. m. Nothing worthy 
of note occurred in transit. We stopped at the 
Paliska Hotel registering under an assumed 
name. 

Paliska Hotel, Savannah, Ga., February 24, 
1S95. Spirit Mitchell reported to us here by 
spirit telegraphy at 9 a. m. He informed us 
that the enemy were making efforts to find us, 
but that our spirit friends were making every 
effort to cover up our tracks. He also informed 
us that he had not been advised as to how long 
we were to remain here. 

Paliska Hotel, Savannah, Ga., February 25, 
1895. Spirit Mitchell reported at 10 a. m. In 
answer to my question as to how long we were 
to remain here he said that he did not know at 
the present time. We were visited again by 



468 death; the meaning and result. 

Mitchell at 4 p. m. and he informed us in the 
usual way that the enemy were active and 
determined. He also informed us that we were 
to leave Savannah at 7 a. m. for Jacksonville, 
Fla. 

February 26, 1895. We started from Savan- 
nah for Jacksonville, Fla. as previously instruct- 
ed arriving at Jacksonville at 12 M. We stop- 
per at the Placide Hotel and registered under an 
assumed name, disguising our handwriting as 
on former occasions. Nothing worthy of note 
occurred on our journey from Savannah to 
Jacksonville. 

Jacksonville, Fla., February 27, 1895. Think- 
ing our stay here would be protracted we 
rented a. room at number 304 Main Street and 
planned to take our meals at a restaurant. 
Spirit Mitchell visited us at 3 p. m. He 
informed us that a spirit friend had visited Brad- 
ford, Pa. and among other things had heard 
some Bradford people planning to make a trip 
here, and as our spirit friends wished to keep 
our whereabouts unknown, it would not be 
advisable for us to stay here long, especially, as 
other Bradford people contemplated a visit to 
Jacksonville. He was not sure at this time how 
long we would stay but in his opinion not long- 
er than one week. He also informed us that 
our spirit enemies were very busy trying to 
trace us and seemed to be thoroughly satisfied 
that we were together, and that we had, per- 
haps by the advice and planning of our spirit 



death; the meaning and result. 469 

friends, stolen a march on them; that they were 
suspicious that the purpose of our spirit friends 
was to build such a force about us and estab- 
lish such affinity between us that it would be 
nearly if not entirely impossible to overcome. 
Well, after being thus informed we concluded that 
the enemy were good guessers to say the least. 

Jacksonville, Fla., March 1, 1895. Nothing of 
importance occurred yesterday and this morning 
we started on a pleasure trip on St. John River 
to Palatka. Before starting we received a report 
from spirit Mitchell. He informed us that noth- 
ing would be required of us today by our spirit 
friends, and if we so desired could take the trip 
we had planned; he also said if it was agreeable 
he would accompany us, to which we readily 
assented. We enjoyed the trip in this beautiful 
tropical climate very much, and our spirit friend 
entered into the enjoyment, to all appearances, 
fully as much as we did. We all returned to 
Jacksonville at 8 p. m. and soon thereafter spirit 
Mitchell took his leave. 

Jacksonville, Fla., March 2, 1895. On this 
day spirits Mitchell and Mason reported to us 
by rapping telegraphy. The}^ informed us that 
all seemed to be going well and also told us 
that our stay here would be short. Where we 
were going on our leaving here the}' did not 
know. 

Jacksonville, Fla., March 3, 1895. Spirit Mitch- 
ell cheered us up by his presence this morning 
and afternoon. In fact he traveled about the 



470 death; the meaning and result. 

city with us, taking in the places of interest, 
and informed us that he was open to an invita- 
tion to a 6 o'clock dinner; of course we took the 
hint, extended the invitation, and he accepted. 
He accompanied us to the restaurant and to 
dinner, keeping up a conversation most of the 
time by the use of rapping telegraphy on his 
part and responses by us orally. Soon after din- 
ner he excused himself and took his leave for 
the day. 

Jacksonville, Fla., March 4. Spirit Mitchell 
put in his presence this morning. On invitation 
accompanied us to lunch at noon. After lunch 
spirit Mason also put in an appearence. Our 
spirit visitors informed us by rapping telegraphy 
that we were to leave Jacksonville tomorrow 
at 12:50 p. m. for St. Augustine, Fla. That 
after considerable discussion by our spirit friends 
in the borderland, St. Augustine had been selected 
as a place of sojourn for some time and at that 
place our spirit friends hoped to accomplish the 
mission of our journey. I asked the spirits pres- 
ent if they were sure as to the time that the 
train would leave here for St. Augustine, as they 
had mentioned 12:50 p. m. as the time for our 
departure. The\^ informed us that they had 
examined the time table and that the}" were cer- 
tain as to the time. I wish to state that at 
each place w^here Mr. Dallas and I stopped on our 
way here we were informed, and very correctly, 
as to the departure of the railroad train on 
which our friends wished us to embark. On that 



death; the meaning and result. 471 

score we were sure of correct information, so 
much so, that we depended entirely on our 
spirit friends for the time of the departure of 
the train which they washed us to take, and we 
have not consulted a time table since leaving 
Bradford. At 4 p. m. spirits Mitchell and Mason 
took their leave. 

March 5. As instructed yesterday Mr. Dallas 
and I started for St. Augustine at 12:50 p. m. 
Nothing worthy of note occurred on the journey. 
We arrived at St. Augustine at 2 p. m., and in 
appearance the place seemed to be a beautiful 
one. We repaired to the Algonquin Hotel, 
secured rooms and prepared to make ourselves 
as comfortable as possible. At the Hotel we 
registered assumed names for reasons before 
intimated. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

At St. Augustine, Florida— Meet Spirits Mitchell and 
Mason — Spirits Select Quarters — Inform Wilson and 
Dallas — Move Into Quarters — Pleasantly Situated- 
Visit by Spirits Mitchell and Mason— What They 
Say— Getting Ready For Work— Meeting Appointed 
— Prepared Telegraph Instrument — Something New 
in Telegraphy— Watch Established— Visits by Spirits 
Mitchell, F. R. S. and Shoemaker — Give Password- 
Wall Built— Wires Being Constructed— Enemy Still 
in Buffalo, N. Y. — Question Asked Shoemaker — His 
Answer— Danger of Discovery— Visited by F. R. S. — 
Spirit Telegram — Explains How Enemy Discovered 
Wilson's and Dallas' Absense — The Effect — Being 
Traced — Manner of Registering Criticised — System 
of Wires— Visit by Spirit Sumner — What He Says — 
He Loves the South — Visit by Spirits Sumner and F. 
R. S.— Trouble— Dallas' Mail— Rothstein Writes Elder 
Dallas — Father Alarmed — Dallas' Uncle on the Hunt 
—Spirits Sent to Scotland— Writes Letter to J. G — 
Plan Formulated — Dallas Writes His Father — How 
Arranged — Visit by Spirit Eddy — What He Says — 
Telegram by Spirit Sumner — Traced to Washington, 
D. C— Controlled by Sumner. 

St. Augustine, Fla., March 6, 1895. Mr. Dal- 
las and I rested well last night and at 8 a. m. 
were ready for breakfast. After breakfast we 



death; the meaning and result. 473 

retired to our room in the Hotel and were 
informed by rapping telegraphy that spirits 
Mitchell and Mason were present. They also 
informed us that the enemies of our movement 
were still very active and seemed determined to 
trace us, and if possible ascertain our where- 
abouts, but that in their opinion the enemy 
would fail in their attempt. 

Thev also informed us that we were at our 
journey's end and that work would commence 
immediately by our spirit friends to prepare 
for the consummation of the object for which our 
journey was planned; they also advised us to 
look around the city and select some comforta- 
ble rooms in a pleasant locality, move therein and 
prepare the facilities for operating the tele- 
graph instrument. 

They said that a suite of rooms had been 
selected by them for us that they thought well 
suited for the occasion, and if they suited us 
that we had better arrange for them. On inquiry 
of spirits Mitchell and Mason where the rooms 
were located they informed us that they were 
in a building on King Street, nearly opposite 
the Ponce De Leon Hotel, and said if we were 
ready to go and look at the rooms thty would 
accompany us. We informed them that we were 
ready to go and we started for the building 
they designated. On arriving at the building' 
I rapped at the outer door and a lady opened 
the door. I enquired of her if she was the lady 
of the house and she said she was. I said to 



474 death; the meaning and result. 

her that I had been informed that she had rooms 
to rent; she replied that she had a suite of rooms 
on the second floor, fronting on King Street, 
which is really the most pleasant street in St. 
Augustine. The rooms were nicely carpeted, 
nicely furnished, and everything had the appear- 
ance of cleanliness. Indeed, I was almost afraid 
to ask the terms for the rooms as I thought 
that rooms so nicely furnished and in 
such a pleasant location would command a 
high rental. I hesitated and the lady said: 
"Well, how do the rooms suit you?" I replied, 
"That I liked the rooms all right but that I 
might not like the rental price she might. ask." 
She replied: "Well, the party who last occupied 
them paid $25.00 for two weeks occupancy." I 
said but little but started to leave, thinking the 
rate too high if we were to remain here long, 
and as I got to the outer door of the building 
the lady said: "How long would you desire the 
rooms if we could agree on terms?" I replied, 
"One month at least," and added that "If 
she could afford to take $20.00 for the use of 
the rooms one month with the privilege on our 
part of a longer term we would take them and 
pay her monthly in advance:" She hesitated a 
few minutes and said: "Well, that is certainly 
much less than I have ever rented them for 
before," and said further in effect that she 
needed money just at the present time, and that 
we could have the rooms at that rate; that she 
would take care of them, keep them clean and 



death; the meaning and result. 475 

in good shape. I paid her the $20.00, and soon 
thereafter we moved our baggage from the Hotel 
to the rooms, and thus we find ourselves very 
pleasantly and comfortably situated for the time 
being at least. 

St. Augustine, Fla., March 7. We passed a 
refreshing night's slumber in our new quarters 
last night. After breakfast we retired to our 
rooms. Soon thereafter spirit Mitchell informed 
us that he was there also. He told us that Prof. 
F. R. S. had called at our rooms last evening 
to arrange something relating to the telegraph 
system the spirits were constructing, which was 
to serve as a connection by their invisible wires 
to our telegraph instrument, which was to be 
stationed at our quarters. I presume that dur- 
ing the Professor's presence last night we were in 
peaceful slumber, at any rate he was not seen 
by either of us. We were also informed by spirit 
Mitchell than it would very likely take at least 
one week's time for the spirits to complete 
arrangements for the commencement of the work 
at this point. 

St. Augustine, Fla., March 8. We spent the 
day in looking around the city. We also visited 
South Beach, U. S. Light House, and other 
points of interest. Spirits Mitchell and Mason 
called at our rooms on our return from the 
Beach. They accompanied us to supper and 
had to all appearances and indications a jolly 
good time. They informed us just before their 
departure that we would not hear from the 



476 death; the meaning A'ND result. 

spirit side of life for a few days as they would 
be busy constructing the telegraph system which 
they intended to use in connection with our 
instrument. They bade us to be of good cheer 
and take good care of ourselves during their 
absence, and took their leave. 

St. Augustine, Fla., March 13. We heard 
nothing from our spirit friends during the 9, 10, 
11 and 12 inst., and nothing of special interest 
occurred during these days. While preparing for 
breakfast at 8:30 o'clock this morning spirit 
Mitchell manifested his presence. He informed 
us that all was progressing in a satisfactory 
manner in their preparations to begin work on 
our side. He said that we would not hear 
from our spirit friends for a few days as they 
were very busy, bid us good morning, and was 
gone. 

St. Augustine, Fla., March 17. We heard nothing 
from our spirit friends during the 14, 15 and 16 
inst. This morning spirits Mitchell and Mason 
reported at our rooms. They informed us that 
everything was nearly ready to begin operations. 

They gave us their opinion that by Tuesday 
next all would be in working order, and they 
instructed us to prepare our telegraph instru- 
ment and attach it to a small battery as on 
former occasions. They also informed us that 
spirit, Dr. Shoemaker, would be here in a day or 
two and to try and have the telegraph instru- 
ment in as good working order as possible for 
the occasion. The spirits accompanied us to 



death; the meaning and result. 477 

dinner signifying their presence during the meal 
by rapping telegraphy, cracking jokes and con- 
yersing on general topics. They returned with 
us from our repast to our rooms and soon there- 
after departed. 

St. Augustine, Fla., March 18. Spirit Mitch- 
ell reported at our rooms at 8:45 a. m. He ac- 
companied us to breakfast. After returning to 
our rooms from breakfast he informed us that 
he would haye to leaye us, but would again be 
at our rooms at 1 p. m. He was with us again 
at this time and accompanied us to dinner. Af- 
ter returning to our rooms, spirit Mitchell by 
rapping telegraphy adyised us to prepare the 
telegraph instrument and battery, and connect 
up. We went about the task of getting the in- 
strument in readiness. We prepared the battery 
and by wire attached the instrument thereto. 
Spirit Mitchell remained with us and superin- 
tended the job, suggested by rapping telegraphy 
ho\y he desired the battery to be prepared and 
the instrument connected, the place and room 
he desired to haye it located. We followed his 
instructions. After all was in readiness and 
everything having the appearance to us as being 
in complete working order, spirit Mitchell in- 
formed us that he had tried the instrument but 
was not able to operate. He finally suggested 
that we join our right hands which we did. 
That seemed to form an additional electric cur- 
rent which spirit Mitchell seemed to be able to 
utilize and thereby give him strength and access 



478 death; the meaning and result. 

sufficient to operate the instrument. That was 
something new to lis, and it was also new to 
Mr. Mitchell, as he informed us. When Mr. 
Dallas and I would separate our hands, spirit 
Mitchell could not work the instrument; as soon 
as we joined hands the difficulty seemed to van- 
ish and the spirit could w r ork the instrument 
with ease. The spirit, after studying over the 
matter for a while concluded, as he informed us, 
that a psychological condition had been estab- 
lished about the telegraph instrument and about 
Mr. Dallas and myself by Prof. F. R. S. through 
some process and for some purpose which spirit 
Mitchell was not able to divine or explain. Dur- 
ing this visit he informed us that a constant 
watch about the vicinity of our rooms had been 
established by our spirit friends so as to pre- 
vent any interference by strange spirits or sur- 
prises by our old foe from the border land. 

St. Augustine, Fla., March 19. Spirit Mitch- 
ell reported today at 4 p. m. By rapping tele- 
graphy he gave the password as he had done 
on former occasions since we located here. He 
could not work the instrument, however, until 
Mr. Dallas and I joined our right hands as on 
yesterday. He informed us that spirit Dr. W. P. 
Shoemaker would be here in a few minutes and 
also, that spirit Prof. F. R. S. would be with 
the Doctor, and would so arrange things that 
the telegraph instrument could be operated by 
the spirits without our joining hands. Spirit 
Dr. W. P. Shoemaker reported his presence at 



death; the meaning and result. 479 

4:10. He gave to us, through rapping telegra- 
phy, the password agreed upon before leaving 
Bradford, after which he began to operate the 
telegraph instrument. He was able to operate 
with apparent ease and after a few salutations, 
spirit Mitchell took the key of the instrument 
and did the operating. Among other things 
said by the spirit Doctor, the following telegram 
was ticked off: 'To J. K. W. and E. M. D. 
Dear brothers and fellow workers: I am so hap- 
py over this event that 1 do not know what to 
say to you. However, shake hands on this our 
first success in operating in Florida. William 
Patterson Shoemaker." 

I replied orally and said: "Well, Doctor, we 
are very happy indeed to again have your pres- 
ence with us. We have each looked forward 
with some anxiety to the time of this meeting." 
And then the following telegram was given to 
us by the instrument: "Well, I am glad to find 
you in such suitable quarters and I expect you 
are satisfied with the situation. I have not had 
much time to look over the town, but I see 
many advantages we have in coming here to 
continue our work. 

"Although we operate today, we are not 3 r et 
ready to commence work. Our wall is complete, 
but our wires are not 3^et in order, but will be 
in a few days. 

"I suppose the first question you will put to 
me will be, 'What have you been doing since we 
met last?' Well, John, we all had our share of 



480 death; the meaning and result. 

work since you left Bradford. I have been keep- 
ing close watch of the enemy, and I know it 
will be good news for you to know that they 
are still in Buffalo, N. Y. They are very active, 
but have no fear, we will look after them. I am 
in first rate order myself, and able to go through 
the entire lot of them. I hope you are satisfied 
with these rooms and all arrangements we have 
made for you. W. P. S." 

To this I replied: "Doctor, we are pleased to 
hear such encouraging news. We hope that we 
may be able to complete our work here, and 
that everything will terminate as you have 
planned and desire. We are each well pleased 
with all arrangements up to the present time 
and will be suited to follow in whatever direc- 
tion you and our spirit friends may see fit to 
lead us." I then asked the spirit Doctor, if he 
thought our spirit enemies would discover our 
whereabouts? And if we were discovered what 
in his opinion would be the result? The reply 
was ticked off as follows: "If we are not dis- 
covered by our enemies of course there is noth- 
ing in the way of success. I am not able to say 
whether your whereabouts will eventually be 
discovered by them or not. If j r ou are discover- 
ed before we succeed in establishing about you 
an impregnable psychological environment, and 
an unbreakable magnetic affinity between you 
and your spirit friends, we shall have the same 
trouble and interruptions experienced before com- 
ing here, and our object in bringing you here 



death; the meaning and result. 481 

will be thwarted. We all hope that our antic- 
ipations may be fully realized and that our work 
here will not be interrupted. Of course there is 
danger of discovery but we hope for the best. 
W. P. S." 

After a little more conversation, I speaking 
orally and the spirits by use of the telegraph in- 
strument, I suggested that it was past supper 
time and invited the Doctor and friend Mitchell 
to supper; they accepted the invitation and dur- 
ing the meal they signified their presence by rap- 
ping telegraphy. After supper we returned to 
our rooms and soon thereafter the spirits bade 
us good night. 

St. Augustine, Fla., March 21. Nothing of 
importance transpired yesterday. At 11:30 a. 
m. today spirit Mitchell informed us of his pres- 
ence by rapping telegraphy and said that spirit 
Prof. F. R. S. would visit us at our rooms at 
3 p. m. and to have the telegraph instrument 
connected with the battery as the Professor de- 
sired to operate it. At 3:05 p. m., the spirit 
Professor, reported his presence, and by rapping 
telegraphy gave us the password and began in 
a strong clear manner to operate the telegraph 
instrument and gave us the following telegram: 
"As you have been told, Mr. Dallas on leaving 
Bradford was not discovered by the enenry, and 
it was not until Mr. Wilson disappeared for good 
that any mistrust showed itself on the part of 
the enemy. 

"You arranged evervthins: well and but for 



482 death; the meaning and result. 

one point you would not have been seen leaving 
Bradford. However, the enemy did not think it 
worth their trouble to follow you. Had they 
done so we would not be here today. Strange 
as it may seem to you some of them were at 
Salamanca when you arrived there, but through 
some careless spy you were lost. 

"At first the absence of Dallas was not thought 
of; it was you, Mr. Wilson, who was occupying 
their attention. When they found out that you 
both had gone, their anger knew no bounds and 
they immediately set to work to discover the 
direction you had taken. They arrived in Buf- 
falo three days after you had gone, that is to 
say on Tuesday following, and so complete was 
their system that in twelve hours after their ar- 
rival they found the Hotel Stafford. They were 
convinced before leaving Bradford that you were 
both in Buffalo, and after examining hotels 
they found your names on the register. Their 
next move was to find out in what direction 
you had gone. At Bradford they kept close 
watch of our friend J. G., but he is as close as 
marble. 

"Dr. Shoemaker told me today that you met 
some Bradford gentlemen in Washington, D. C. 
If they have said anything of your doing so to 
Bradford people we do not know of it, but will 
be on the lookout. 

"I hear you, Mr. Wilson, registered at the Ho- 
tel in Washington, in your own name. That 
was bad policy, but we will try and take care 



death; the meaning and result. 483 

of matters there by keeping a man on the look- 
out. You were well looked after on the way 
down, and I think that the choice of St. Augus- 
tine has been a good one for both. 

"It was my intention to have you spend some 
time in Jacksonville, to see if the coast was clear 
before leaving there, but as we expected difficul- 
ties you were sent here three weeks in advance. 

"On our arrival here we commenced to build 
a wall of defence, and as soon as that was com- 
plete, I built one around each of you by a new 
method which I have just discovered, and so 
complete is this wall that none but those who 
have the key can enter, so in case of the enemy 
stealing a march on us they could not injure you 
in any way. 

"We can commence work in a day or two 
where we left off at Lily Dale last summer. Mr. 
Sumner will be here before the end of the w^eek 
and will test yon y Mr. Wilson, and see what can 
be done, or if you have lost any of the force he 
was building up in you. With the exception of 
time lost we do not think this break will inter- 
fere with us. If everything is favorable we will 
have you ready to commence work in public by 
the end of the j^ear. Prof. F. R. S." 

After receiving this message I orally thanked 
the Professor, for his information and instruc- 
tions. After some further conversation he con- 
tinued to operate and gave us the following: 
"We have now about completed our system of 
wires leading from these rooms to our headquar- 



484 death; the meaning and result. 

ters in the spirit world. Hereafter, call over the 
wire, by use of this instrument, at 9 o'clock 
each evening, spirit Mitchell or Mason, and they 
will wire your instructions for the following 
day. F. R. S." 

Soon after receiving this telegram the spirit 
Professor, bade us good evening and departed. 
At 9 p. m., Mr. Dallas sent a call over the wire 
for spirit Mitchell, and in a few seconds he an- 
swered and informed us that spirit Charles Sum- 
ner would be with us at 3 p. m. tomorrow at 
our rooms. 

St. Augustine, Fla., March 22nd. At 8 o'clock 
this morning spirit Mitchell informed us by rap- 
ping telegraphy that he had been with us dur- 
ing the night. He said a constant watch was 
kept so as to prevent any surprises by hostile 
spirits. At 3 p. m. spirit Charles Sumner in 
company with Mitchell put in his presence. He 
gave the password by rapping telegraphy, and 
then began to operate the telegraph instrument 
and gave us the following message: " Gentlemen, 
I welcome this meeting today with much satis- 
faction, and I am pleased to see that you have 
carried out our plans to perfection. It shows 
the confidence and trust you place in us for 
which you shall in the near future be repaid. It 
further shows us the material we have employed 
to carry out our work, and you have met with 
much praise from the Professor and others on 
our side. I say again I am happy to meet you 
face to face again. I am now ready to com- 



death; the meaning and result. 485 

mence work immediately but F. R. S. has a few 
arrangements to make before entering on it. 

"I had no choice in the matter of selecting St. 
Augustine. That was left to the Professor and 
others, but I think the spot is beautiful and the 
situation lovely. 

"I love the South, my friends, and while on 
earth my happiest moments were when I was 
defending its interests. The influence around you 
here seems to be perfect, and I see no reason w r hy 
we should not accomplish the remainder of our 
work here. Dr. Shoemaker tells me he feels ver\ r 
secure on the part of the enemy, and I believe 
he is right. I trust you had a pleasant journey 
down and I hope you like the climate well and 
are satisfied with the location. 

"I know 3^ou are anxious to hear from all old 
friends and I hope to have a few of them here 
soon. Dr. Eddy is well again and working as 
hard as ever. I wish to have Mr. Wilson alone 
here Sunday morning, at 10:30. Your friend 
and fellow w^orker, Charles Sumner." 

After receiving this message I replied orally: 
"Mr. Sumner, we are very glad to meet you 
again; we are much gratified by 3-our encourag- 
ing words. We had a very pleasant journey 
coming here, and are suited with the climate 
and think the location beautiful. We thank 3 r ou 
for your kind promise to again make conditions 
whereby w^e may meet our old spirit friends. 
We hope to have the pleasure of your presence 
very often and I shall be pleased to meet you 



486 death; the meaning and result. 

tomorrow at 10:30 a. m. as requested. To this 
Mr. Sumner replied via instrument: "Thank 
you. Now I will say good afternoon. Charles 
Sumner.' ' 

It was 5 p. m. when Mr. Sumner left us. 
Everything seemed to be in a fair way to suc- 
cess. At 6:20 p. m., spirit Mitchell signified his 
presence and gave us the password by rapping 
telegraphy. He also informed us that spirits 
Charles Sumner and Prof. F. R. S. would be here 
on important business, bid us good day, and left. 
At 8 p. m., spirits Sumner and Prof. F. R. S 
put in their presence, and after giving the pass- 
word, began to use the instrument and gave us 
the following message: " Gentlemen, it is only 
business of the greatest importance that calls 
us here again tonight. Charles Sumner and 
Prof. F. R. S." 

Then immediately the following was ticked off 
by the telegraph instrument: "Two days ago 
w r e sent Dr. Shoemaker to Bradford to inspect 
the mail matter there, and see if he could devise 
any way of forwarding same to you. He dis- 
covered almost immediately that through some 
mistake in the Bradford post office that Mr. E. 
M. Dallas' mail was left right along at Roth- 
stein's. As this has been going on since he left 
Bradford, there are several letters and papers 
there for him. Now, it seems Mr. Rothstein 
thinking that E. M. Dallas has been lost in a 
storm which occurred about the time of his de- 
parture, has written a letter to E. M. Dallas' 



death; the meaning and result. 487 

father. Mr. Dallas has telegraphed to E. M. D.'s 
uncle, F. P. Mac Donald, who has been down 
to Bradford himself or sent someone to inquire 
about him. As no news could be found, his 
uncle has written to Scotland stating that he 
was there about January 20. Further than that 
we do not know. W. P. Shoemaker sent a spirit 
to Scotland and as Mr. Dallas cannot be found 
at his home we think that he has started to 
look for his son. Such is the Doctor's story 
which has cost him much trouble. Charles Sum- 
ner, Prof. F. R. S." 

In reply to this message I said: " Gentlemen, 
it seems that trouble is brewing sure. I cannot 
see how it comes about that the Postmaster at 
Bradford ignores instructions concerning Mr. 
Dallas' mail as Mr. Dallas informs me that be- 
fore leaving Bradford he instructed the Postmast- 
er to deliver all his mail to my office. I do not 
know what to suggest. It may be that the 
Doctor, is mistaken." To which the spirits re- 
plied via telegraph instrument: "No, we do not 
think that the Doctor can be mistaken. To sum- 
marize — First — we know that Rothstein has writ- 
ten to E. M. D.'s father in Scotland. Second — 
we think it probable that Mr. Dallas has left 
for U. S. A. Third — we think Mac Donald has 
traced E. M. Dallas to Buffalo, or further, as he 
w^ould be informed at Bradford of you both 
having been seen there. Charles Sumner, Prof. 
F. R. S." 

Well, here is a dilemma sure. The spirits 



488 death; the meaning and result. 

Charles Sumner and Prof. F. R. S. discussed 
with Mr. Dallas and I pro and con the new fea- 
ture and how best to proceed to meet the new 
condition. Finally it was agreed that we should 
think over the matter until morning, and that 
at 9 a. m. the spirits would again visit us. 

Note. After my return to Bradford from the 
South I consulted Mr. Rothstein to verify, as 
far as possible, the statement made to us by 
spirits Sumner and Prof. F. R. S. while in St. 
Augustine, Fla. Mr. Rothstein informs me that 
when Mr. Dallas left Bradford for his trip South 
he told him (Rothstein) that he was going to 
Scotland; that after Dallas' departure from 
Bradford his mail was delivered to his place of 
business; that for a week or ten days he thought 
nothing of it, but mail matter from Scotland 
delivered after Dallas should have reached his 
home there caused him to become uneasy about 
his safety, then he wrote a letter to E. M. Dal- 
las' father informing him that his son had left 
Bradford, saying he was going to Scotland, 
and the mail for E. M. D. was still being deliv- 
ered at his place in Bradford. Mr. Rothstein 
also informs me that he received a reply to his 
letter from the elder Mr. Dallas saying, that his 
son had not arrived there. Thus verifying the 
spirits' statement in relation to the mail matter 
and Rothstein's acts in the premises. I have 
also ascertained that the elder Dallas communi- 
cated at this time to E. M. Dallas' uncle, F. P. 
Mac Donald, making inquiry about his son, and 



death; the meaning and result. 489 

that Mr. Mac Donald did make an effort to lo- 
cate the son and visited Buffalo, N. Y. for that 
purpose; that the uncle informed the father that 
he was unable to find the son's whereabouts 
which caused great alarm on the part of the 
elder Dallas, which was only allayed on the re- 
ceipt of a letter from the son, postmarked New 
York, U. S. A. 

These facts were entirely unknown to Mr. 
Dallas and myself at the time of being informed 
by the spirits, but true in all essential particu- 
lars I have since ascertained. 

St. Augustine, Fla., March 23. I did not rest 
well last night, The events of yesterday con- 
vinced me that unlooked for difficulties had 
loomed up, which, as was very apparent, were 
giving our spirit friends much trouble and caus- 
ing them much concern. I am worried over the 
possible results. It is very bad indeed that the 
Postmaster at Bradford has disregarded the 
instructions given him by E. M. Dallas before 
leaving Bradford, that all mail matter should 
be delivered to my office in Bradford during E. 
M. Dallas' absence; instead, it seems Mr. Dallas' 
mail has been delivered to Mr. Rothstein's right 
along until a .large amount has collected there. 
It opens the way for much trouble. At the time 
Mr. Dallas lelt Bradford he told Mr. Rothstein, 
in whose employ Mr. Dallas had been that he 
(Dallas) was going to visit his home in Scot- 
land. Soon after Mr. Dallas left Bradford ter- 
rible storms at sea were reported in the news- 



490 death; the meaning and result. 

papers of the day, and several passengers liners 
reported lost with all on board. Mr. Dallas' 
mail collecting as before stated undoubtedly has 
given rise in Mr. Rothstein's mind that possibly 
Mr. Dallas had been lost at sea, and hence the 
motive on Mr. Rothstein's part in writing to 
Mr. Dallas' father in Scotland, which in the 
absence of any news from his son created alarm 
in the mind of the elder Dallas about his safty. 
Well, we must await the result anyway, and it 
may end well yet. 

At 9 a. m. of this date the spirits, Prof. F. R. 
S. and Charles Sumner put in their presence at 
our rooms as per appointment last evening. 
During the interim of their visit yesterday a 
spirit messenger sent out by our spirit friends 
to Scotland had returned and brought the news, 
as we were informed by spirits F. R. S. and 
Sumner, that the elder Dallas had been found at 
his home in Scotland and had not started for 
U. S. A. as was supposed by our spirit friends 
when they visited us yesterday. That was some- 
what of a relief. We then discussed with the 
spirits the propriety and urgent necessity of 
getting word to the elder Dallas that his son 
was alive and well, so as to prevent the awk- 
ward position of having the father come to the 
U. S. A. in search of his son, but how to pro- 
ceed to get the word to the elder Dallas with- 
out revealing our locality to the spirit enemies 
was the dilemma. Another thing, only of less 
importance, a letter must or should be written 



death; the meaning and result. 491 

to J. G., a friend of ours in Bradford to allay 
his uneasy feelings, as we had been informed by 
the spirits that he was in no sense contented. 

We finally concluded to write our friend in 
Bradford and run the chances of giving our 
spirit enemies a clue to our whereabouts, which 
was something of a risk as we were cognizant 
of the fact that the enemy might be watching 
the mails in Bradford. However, we wrote the 
letter to our friend, and directed it to Bradford, 
Pa. Spirit Mitchell was to accompany the let- 
ter and report immediately to us, if thereby our 
location should be discovered by our enemies. 
The question of getting word to Mr. D's father 
is a more intricate problem to solve, as it is 
fair to presume that our spirit enemies in their 
anxiety to locate us would be watching for 
mail at the elder Dallas' home. We discussed 
the matter pro and con with the spirits, but 
could see no way clear to attain the desired 
result. At the suggestion of spirit Prof. F. R. S., 
our meeting was adjourned until 2 P. M. 

At 2 p. m. the spirits, F. R. S. and Sumner, 
again signfied their presence, and the question 
of getting word to the elder Dallas was taken 
up. Spirit F. R. S. finalh^ formulated a plan as 
follows: E. M. D. was to write a letter to his 
father directed to the proper address in Scot- 
land, heading the letter as follows: New York City, 
March 23, 1895; the letter to be mailed at St. 
Augustine, Fla., but the Professor suggested that 
perhaps the mailing clerk here would stamp it 



492 death; the meaning and result. 

so illegibly that the place of mailing could not 
be made out; that it was the custom at the 
distributing office in New York City to re-post- 
mark all letters going abroad, and perhaps the 
New York City postmark would be plain and 
legible, so that the letter would have every 
appearance of having been written and mailed 
in New York City and therefore our locality 
would not be divulged. Of course the Professor's 
plan was adopted; the letter was written, headed 
as before intimated and posted here, with what 
success, however, time will only tell. Soon after 
writing the letter and posting it Mr. Sumner 
and the Professor took their leave. 

At 9 p. m. we sent a call over the wire, as we 
had been instructed to do, to know if anything 
was required of us tomorrow, and spirit Mason 
answered from the spirit end of the line that 
nothing was on the program for tomorrow. He 
informed us that the illegibility of the post- 
mark here on the letter was a success. 

St. Augustine, Fla., March 28. Nothing of 
special inportance occurred on March 24, 25, 26 
and 27. On each of these days we sent a call 
over the wire to our spirit friend operator at 
the other end of the line, and he would invaria- 
bly answer and inform us what the program was 
for the morrow. We were told tpda}^ by our 
spirit operator that the letter written to our 
Bradford friend had reached him, undiscovered 
by the enemy. That was good news to us. On 
the 27th spirit Mason telegraphed to us that 



death; the meaning and result. 493 

spirit Sumner would visit us at our rooms today 
at three p. m. 

At 3 p. m. spirit Sumner, in company with 
spirit Dr. Eddy whom I had not had the pleas- 
ure of meeting for some time put in their pres- 
ence. Dr. Edd3 r via telegraph instrument said: 
"My friends, John Wilson and Dallas: I am 
delighted to be permitted to look upon you 
once more and will be glad to welcome a hearty 
handshake all around. W. D. Eddy." 

To this I replied orally: "Friend Eddy, we 
are delighted to again meet you, and glad to 
know that you have sufficiently recovered from 
your injuries received from the enemy, to be with 
us." Spirit Eddy again telegraphed as follows: 
"Well, I suppose you have all the latest news 
from Bradford through Plum Mitchell. " To this 
I replied: "Yes, Plum has told us about the 
letter reaching our friend and some other 
things." 

Again spirit Eddy telegraphed: "I have been 
to Bradford for quite a few days, until yester- 
day, looking after the enemy and helping }^ou 
in your work. I saw your friend in Bradford 
take your letter out of the postoffice there. I 
am certain that no spirit enemy saw him receive 
the letter or in any way had access to it before 
it reached him." 

I asked spirit Eddy if he had been very busy 
in Bradford during his stay there, to which he 
replied: "Yes, I have been very busy, and a 
great time I have been having. Your friend 



494 death; the meaning and result. 

there to whom you wrote the letter seems a 
good bit worried notwithstanding your letter. 
I saw the Rev. Weil go up to your office about 
three weeks ago, but of course did not find you. 
He seemed much surprised that you had not 
called on him before leaving Bradford. He has 
started a church of his own and preaches rank 
Spiritualism every Sunday, and quite a few peo- 
ple go to hear him. W. D. E." 

I thanked the spirit Doctor for his informa- 
tion. I did not know until so informed at this 
time that the Rev. Weil had organized a church 
in Bradford or that he was preaching Spiritualism 
rank or otherwise. 

Soon after receiving this telegram spirit Sum- 
ner gave us the following message: "Good after- 
noon, gentlemen, I trust you are both well. C. 
S." To which I replied: "Well, thank you." 
He then resumed: "I think you have been told 
by Plum and also by Dr. Eddy that your letter 
to Bradford arrived safely, but we are at a 
standstill in many other matters. The letter 
addressed to Mr. Dallas, Scotland, will not 
arrive until the end of the week. In the mean- 
time w r e think that Mr. Dallas' uncle is on the 
lookout and and has traced him as far as Wash- 
ington, D. C. We have, also, sure proof that 
our enemies have taken advantage of this search 
for E. M. Dallas and are following up tracks of 
his friends. We will have to wait patiently 
and see if you can be traced further. If 
not you are safe. You can have all confi- 



death; the meaning and result. 495 

dence in us to do the best we can in the 
matter. In the meantime I would like to see 
what progress I can expect of you, Mr. Wilson, 
and tomorrow at 3 p. m., I wish to meet you 
alone. I have much pleasure in saying that our 
outlook is fairly favorable. Charles Sumner." 

To this message I replied: "Mr. Sumner, we 
are very glad to meet you again. Of course we 
are aware that we are liable to be discovered 
by our spirit opponents. I shall be very pleased 
to meet you tomorrow at 3 p. m. Soon there- 
after our spirit friends bade us good day and 
departed. 

Note. I have ascertained since my return to 
Bradford, Pa., that my friend, James S. Gal- 
braith, referred to as "J. G." in the spirit mes- 
sage, received my letter written to him from the 
South in the Post Office at Bradford, instead of 
having it delivered, the latter being the usual 
way, by our delivery system. Also, that Rev. 
Weil did call at my office at the time stated in 
the spirit message and that he had started a 
church and was preaching and advocating the 
philosophy of Spiritualism. All the facts stated 
by spirit Dr. Eddy in his message as having 
occurred and entirely unknown to me at the 
time, or to Mr. Dallas, I find on investigation 
since my return to be true in every particular. 

St. Augustine, Fla., March 29. At 3 p. m. I 
was alone in my room. I expected to meet my 
spirit friend, Charles Sumner. I was anxious to 
see if I could behold him as in times past. I had 



496 death; the meaning and result. 

not long to wait. I presently felt in the room 
and about me a very perceptable disturbance of 
the atmosphere. I knew by past experience that 
an entity had entered my immediate environ- 
ment. As on former occasions I noted the time 
which was 3:10 p. m. I could see the outline of 
a form, but there seemed to be a sort of a vapor 
or mist about it, or between my line of vision 
and the form. I could not distinguish it well 
enough to either recognize or describe it. How- 
ever it gradually approached me, and when 
seemingly right before me, I felt that peculiar 
mesmeric sensation so often experienced before 
when in the presence of this great spirit. I felt 
myself rising from a sitting to a standing posi- 
tion, and sensed myself talking and that was 
all. When I again become normal I consulted 
my watch and found that it was 3:45 o'clock. 
I had been partially unconscious for about 35 
minutes. I saw- nothing nor heard nothing from 
Mr. Sumner after becoming normal. He must 
have taken his departure. I do not remember a 
thing that I said, still I know that I was talk- 
ing at least 35 minutes. Well, once again that 
very strange phenomenon of being controlled by 
a spirit, other than my own, had been my lot 
to experience. At 9 p. m. we sent a call over 
the line and enquired what tomorrow's pro- 
gram would be. Our call was answered by the 
spirit operator at the other end of the line, who 
informed us that spirit Dr. W. P. Shoemaker 
and other spirits would be at our rooms at 3 p. 
m. tomorrow. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Present— Enemy Still Tracing— A 
Surprise for Wilson — Meets Spirit Brother — What He 
Says— Meets Spirit Mother— What She Says— Dr. 
Shoemaker Talks— Strange Spirit Introduced— Prov- 
ed To Be a Friend — On Judicial Bench in Earth Life 
— What He Says — Spirits Mitchell and Mason Enter- 
tained — Spirits Sumner and F. R. S. Present — Came 
From Washington, D. C. — Liable To Be Discovered — 
Enemy Very Determined — Now In Charlotte, N. C. — 
Wilson and Dallas Ordered to Return to Bradford, 
Pa.— All Hope Gone— Spirit F. R. S.'s Parting Tele- 
gram — Leave St. Augustine — At Bradford — Meeting 
Appointed — To Invite Friends — Meet Spirits Sumner, 
Shoemaker and Mitchell— J. S. G. Present— Enemy 
Trace to Jacksonville, Fla. — What Saved W T ilson — 
Controlled— Effect on J. S. G.— Telegrams From 
Spirit Shoemaker— To Go To Lily Dale— Wall Col- 
lapsed — Visit by Spirit Judge Corbett— A Surprise — 
Wilson and Dallas Assaulted— Pope Aggressor— How 
Rescued — Explained. 

St. Augustine, Fla., March 30, 1895. At 3 p. 
m. Mr. Dallas and I were in our rooms. We 
expected spirit company. We had been informed 
that at this hour our very good friend, spirit 
Dr. Shoemaker, and other spirits would be with 



498 death; the meaning and result. 

us and make their presence known. Who the 
others were who were to accompany Dr. Shoe- 
maker here at this hour we had not been 
informed. We had our telegraph instrument 
connected with the battery as on former occa- 
sions. 

At 3:10 p. m. spirit Shoemaker made his pres- 
ence known by rapping telegraphy, after which 
he operated our instrument and gave us the 
following message: "Good afternoon, John. 
Good afternoon, Ed. I hope j^ou are well. W. 
P. S." To this I replied orally: "Good after- 
noon, Doctor, we are both well, thank you. We 
are glad to have you with us today. Any news 
from our spirit enemy?" To my question he 
replied: "No, nothing new. Mr. Sumner and 
Prof. F. R. S. are watching their efforts in find- 
ing you. When Mr. Sumner and the Professor 
return we will know just how far the enemy 
have succeeded in tracing you. I have a sur- 
prise today for one of you. Your brother from 
the spirit side of life, John, is here. W. P. S." 6 
In reply: "Thank you, Doctor/' and immedi- 
ately the telegraph instrument resumed ticking 
and said: "How are you, boys? Plum." To 
this I responded: "Very well, Plum — glad to 
have you here." 

The instrument resumed: "Your brother 
wishes me to operate for him and says, 'dear 
John I am glad your friends see fit for me to be 
here today. I am very happy since I regained 
my liberty and I am working hard to help you 



death; the meaning and result. 499 

all I can. I knew you were coming down here, 
and wished to speak to you often but could not. 
I am sorry to hear that you are followed part 
way, but trust in Mr. Sumner and I am sure 
he will bring you out all right. Will.' P. M., 
opr." 

To this message I replied: "Will, I am glad 
to meet you again, I hope it may be our lot 
to meet often in the future. How is mother?" 
To this he answered via instrument: "Mother 
will answer for herself, John, for Dr. Shoemaker 
has gone to bring her here." I answered: "Very 
glad to hear that." In a few minutes the instru- 
ment resumed: "Here is the Doctor with your 
mother. Plum, opr." In reply to this I said: 
"Dear mother, although I cannot see you nor 
hear you speak, I know- you are here. I am 
always very glad to have you come to me. 
Let my friend, Plum Mitchell, tell me by the 
telegraph instrument what you desire to say to 
me." The instrument then resumed: "John, my 
dear son, I am so happy to once more have the 
pleasure of being near you that I can hardly 
tell j^our good friend here what to say. I am, 
through your friends in the spirit world, often 
told about you, and how you are getting along. 
In fact, through your friends I am alwa} r s 
happy. Mother, P. M., opr." 

A few moments of silence after this was ticked 
off and then the following: "Friend John: Ever 
since the break I have promised to help your 
mother to see you some time, but you know 



500 death; the meaning and result. 

how difficult it has been for me to fulfill the 
promise. However, I have kept my word today 
and although she cannot express herself to you 
in words, I know she is delighted to be here, 
and she says to me, 'you are a good Doctor, 
and very kind to me. I am so happy to see my 
son again.' She does not know where St. Agus- 
tine is, but that- does not matter as long as she 
is near you. She understands the work very 
well and although she cannot help directly, she 
is always pleased when we speak of you. W. P. 
S., P. M., opr." 

To this message I replied: "Dr. Shoemaker, 
you are indeed kind to my spirit mother, and to 
me, for which I thank you very much. I hope I 
may some day be able to repay you for all you 
have done for me." 

After this reply to me the instrument resumed 
and ticked off the following: "I have the pleas- 
ure of introducing to you this afternoon a gen- 
tleman whom I know you will welcome; but for 
him we would all be lingering in the strongholds 
of the enemy, and I hardly think it will 
be necessary for me to mention his name, as I 
have no doubt you know who I mean. W. P. S." 
To this message I answered orally, as usual, as 
follows: "I am indeed delighted to meet the 
gentleman you refer to and to whom we owe so 
much. No, you need not mention his name for 
I know you refer to Judge . You are cer- 
tainly most welcome, Judge. Our spirit friends 
have told me how much they are indebted to 



death; the meaning and result. 501 

you in helping them from the power of their 
enemies; in helping them you help me and my 
friend Mr. Dallas, more than we can tell you." 
The instrument again resumed as follows: "Gen- 
tlemen, I am glad to be among }^ou here. I did 
but that which I would do many times for such 
friends as you and I have. ." 

I do not care to use the name of this spirit in 
these records, for the reason that I omitted to 
ask him if I could do so. However, he is a mod- 
ern spirit whom 1 knew by reputation in earth 
life, distinguished for his ability as a jurist be- 
fore passing to spirit life. I said in reply to his 

message: "Judge , I suppose you were so 

well informed on spirit laws before passing to 
spirit life that you were but little if any disap- 
pointed in the change." To w T hich he replied via 
instrument: "Yes, I was prepared for spirit life, 
and was not disappointed when I passed over 
here. I have known Mr. Sumner for many years, 
also Prof. F. R. S., and I can say to you, gen- 
tlemen, you have indeed the most perfect leaders 
among us over here. While I do not under- 
stand much of their work in connection with 
you, I know that what such people undertake 
must be a good and noble work, and while I 
have other matters of my own to attend to, 1 
wish 3^ou all success, and you shall have all my 

spare time and experience. Judge ." I replied: 

"Thank you, Judge. I appreciate what you say. 
I hope it may be our lot to meet you often." 

After some further conversation the spirits 



502 death; the meaning and result. 

Judge , my mother, brother and Plum 

Mitchell bid us good afternoon and took their 
leave. Spirit Dr. Shoemaker remained with us 
for a few minutes, and informed us that our 
spirit friends Plum Mitchell and Harvey Mason 
had asked leave of absence from duty in the 
border land, and wish to spend the evening in a 
social way with Mr. Dallas and myself, and also 
said that they had been working hard and 
deserved the favor and it had been granted to 
them. I replied in substance that I was very 
glad and that we would entertain them the best 
we could. 

At 7:30 our friends in spirit life, Mitchell and 
Mason, whose names so often appear in these 
records, put in their presence. They did not 
talk to us via the telegraph instrument, but by 
rapping telegraphy which was as easily under- 
stood by Mr. Dallas and myself as operating the 
instrument. We took our friends to the Ponce 
De Leon Hotel to listen to a band concert; also 
to the Casino to witness bathing, swimming, and 
water sports generally. They seemed by their 
merry telegraphy and rapping applause to enjoy 
themselves hugely. At 10:30 we returned to our 
rooms, and after thanking us for our efforts to 
entertain them they bid us good night. 

St. Augustine, Fla., April 1, 1895. At 2:30 p. 
m., yesterda} r , we sent a call over the wire to 
the spirit operator at the other end of the line 
which was promptly answered by him. We 
inquired if they had any late news from Mr. Sum- 



death; the meaning and result. 503 

ner or the Professor to which the spirit operator 
answered as follows: "No news from Mr. Sum- 
ner or the Professor. P. M., opr." At 9 p. m. yes- 
terday, we sent another call which was answered 
and the following: "No news from Mr. S. or 
the Professor. We think they will return by 
morning. P. M., opr." 

At 2:30 p. m. today we sent a call over the 
invisible wire. The operator on the spirit side 
answered and informed us that spirit Charles 
Sumner and Prof. F. R. S. had returned from 
their investigation tour, and would be with us 
at our rooms in about 10 minutes. At 2:45 
spirits Sumner and F. R. S. signified their pres- 
ence by rapping telegraphy and said: "Good 
afternoon, gentlemen." I replied: "Good after- 
noon, friends. " In a few moments the spirit, 
Prof. F. R. S., began to operate the instrument 
and gave us the following message: "Mr. Sum- 
ner and myself have just returned from Wash- 
ington, D. C. and find the situation as follows: 
The enemy have left Washington and are now 
in Charlotte, and have found name there on 
hotel register of F. P. MacDonald. We cannot 
find any trace of Mr. Dallas' friends, and I think 
they must have returned home. Gentlemen, I 
am sorry to say you will have to return to 
Bradford, Pa., as all hope for continuation of 
the work is now gone. At the rate the enemy 
are following us up they will find us in 8 or 10 
days. Their tracing force is very small, but they 
have their best men with them. All others have 



504 death; the meaning and result. 

returned to Bradford for some reason I cannot 
fathom. This is the only plan we have left. 
Mr. Dallas will return to Bradford, starting 
tomorrow afternoon or Wednesday morning, 
whichever suits him best. As the enemy are on 
the lookout there, Mr. Dallas will be reported 
as soon as he returns to Bradford and their 
tracing force, very likely, will be withdrawn. 
We desire Mr. Wilson to stay here until we have 
time to withdraw our force and wires from here. 
As matters now stand I am not able to say if 
at any time we will be able to enter into the 
work which we started out to accomplish. Cir- 
cumstances which we could not overcome have 
come up against us and brought about the pres- 
ent condition of affairs. I wish to say to you, 
gentlemen, that from my heart I thank you 
both for the noble way in which you have both 
helped us. I think I may add that Mr. Dallas 
had better start for Bradford tomorrow after- 
noon, and J. K. Wilson follow on the following 
Sunday or Monday. I hope to have the pleas- 
ure of meeting you again on the earth plane. If 
not on the earth plane I shall rejoice when I 
meet you on our side of life. As ever, your 
friend, Prof. F. R. S." 

In a few moments after receiving this message 
I replied: "We are sorry Professor, that matters 
have culminated in this way. We, however, 
attach no blame whatever to our spirit friends. 
They have done the best they could to accom- 
plish the desired end from start to finish. We 



death; the meaning and result. 505 

will return to Bradford as you have instructed 
us to do. Feeling grateful to you for the efforts 
you have made to prove beyond a doubt to the 
children of the earth plane the immortality of 
the human family, and the intercommunication 
between the earth and spirit worlds, we shall 
alwa3 r s hold each of our spirit friends in very 
grateful rememberance. If we chance to meet 
any of them again on the earth side of life, it is 
well; we are certain of meeting them one and 
all on the spirit side of life. Prof. F. R. S., Mr. 
Dallas and myself extend to you our right hand 
of fellowship and say for the present, good bye. 
To my remarks the Professor replied by the 
instrument: "Thank you for the words uttered. 
Farewell until we meet again. Prof. F. R. S." 

I wish to add that Mr. Dallas started from 
St. Augustine to Bradford, Pa. on the second 
day of April, 1895. I followed him starting from 
St. Augustine on April 8. We each reached 
Bradford, Pa., without special incident. We have, 
indeed, had a wonderful experience as all will 
agree who take the pains to read these records. 
We have heard nothing from our spirit friends 
up to and including April 12, the day of my 
arrival in Bradford from St. Augustine. 

Bradford, Pa., April 21, 1895. On the 15th 
of April Mr. Dallas and I were sitting in my 
office discussing our eventful trip from which we 
had so recently returned. We had heard noth- 
ing from our spirit friends since our return, but 
at this time our conversation was interrupted 



506 death; the meaning and result. 

by spirit raps which we thought were produced 
by Plum Mitchell; not being certain, however, 
we asked the spirit to give the password which 
we had established by instruction of Prof. F. R. 
S. for the purpose of establishing identity. The 
password was given correctly and spirit Mitch- 
ell by rapping telegraphy proceeded to inform us 
that the line of communication between Dallas, 
myself and our spirit friends was still sufficient- 
ly intact to enable them to communicate with 
us; that he was sent by Charles Sumner to in- 
form us of that fact, and to say that our spirit 
friends were glad that we had reached Bradford 
safely and in good form. He then bid us good 
bj^e and departed. We heard nothing further 
from the spirits until today at which time our 
spirit friend Plum Mitchell again manifested his 
presence and established his identity. His stay 
with us was short but time enough to say by 
rapping telegraph}^, that Mr. Sumner had sent 
him to inform us that Mr. Sumner and Dr. 
Shoemaker would visit us at my office on the 
24th inst at 9 p. m., and instructed us to pre- 
pare and connect the telegraph instrument for 
use at that time, also to invite a friend of mine, 
James S. Galbraith, whose home is in this city, 
to be present at this meeting. I informed spirit 
Mitchell that we would carry out his instruc- 
tions and be prepared on the date named. He 
then bid us good day and departed. 

Mr. Galbraith, who is a prominent citizen in 
this city, having resided here for about twenty 



death; the meaning and result. 507 

years, knew little if anything about the possi- 
bility of spirit return. He has been acquainted 
with me in a business and social way during my 
residence in this cit\ r . Previous to this time, 
however, I had told him of some of my investi- 
gations along those lines and some of the evi- 
dence I was receiving, but he had seen or heard 
nothing of the manifestations. I had also ad- 
vised my spirit friends of Air. Galbraith's friendly 
feeling toward me and his sympathy in my in- 
vestigations. Mr. Galbraith is the individual 
referred to as J. G. in some of the former records. 
He had been informed by me before starting on 
my intended trip to Florida, mj mission there, 
also some of the circumstances which led me to 
undertake the trip. 

On April 24, early in the evening, Mr. James 
S. Galbraith, Mr. Dallas and myself assembled 
at my office. At 9 p. m. we connected the in- 
strument and had all things in readiness to meet 
spirits Sumner and Shoemaker. A few minutes 
after this hovir the instrument began to tick and 
gave us the following: "Good evening, gentle- 
men. Good evening, Mr. Galbraith. We hope 
you are all well and in your usual health. 
Charles Sumner, W. P. Shoemaker/ ' 

To this message each of us orally replied: 
"Good evening, gentlemen." We also informed 
them that we were glad to have them with us; 
at the conclusion the instrument resumed and 
said: "We assure you that we are very glad to 
be with you. We are glad to meet Mr. Galbraith 



508 death; the meaning and result. 

as a friend of Mr. Wilson. We are sure his ac- 
quaintance is our pleasure. C. S., W. P. S." 

The instrument was silent for a few moments, 
then ticked off the following: "Gentlemen: In 
the first place we will give you the particulars 
of the enemy; how near they were discovering 
you. When Mr. Wilson left St. Augustine and 
came to Jacksonville on his way home, two spies 
of the enemy were at the Hotel Placide, Jackson- 
ville, Fla., the last Hotel to be searched, strange 
to say, and there they found j^our handwriting 
on the register. Now, on the same day some of 
them were in St. Augustine also, but could not 
find any trace of you there. They took the 
evening train to Jacksonville, meeting the other 
party at the depot. You will remember Mr. 
Wilson, going into the Pullman Car before the 
train was made up at Jacksonville. Your spirit 
friend, Harvey Mason, who was with you at 
the time, impressed you to do so, and that alone 
saved you. From Jacksonville, Fla., they went 
back to Savannah, Ga., and while there were re- 
called to Bradford, Pa., as Mr. Dallas was seen 
there by others of the enemy. They know you 
are both back to Bradford now, but cannot un- 
derstand our proceedings. They are sure you 
left Buffalo, N. Y. together and were together at 
several places along the route, but further than 
that they cannot get. They are determined how- 
ever, not to allow us to proceed with our work; 
thej r keep a closer watch on 3 r ou than ever be- 
fore. Charles Sumner, W. P. Shoemaker." 



death; the meaning and result. 509 

After receiving the above message I replied 
orally: " Thank you, gentlemen, for the infor- 
mation." A few minutes wait and the instru- 
ment then ticked off as follows: "As I cannot 
remain long I would ask a favor of you, Mr. 
Wilson, and that is to permit me to speak 
through you and give your friend Mr. Galbraith 
an idea of what I can do. Charles Sumner." 

I informed Mr. Sumner that I was happy to 
comply with his request and to proceed at any 
time. I was seated at the time and said noth- 
ing further. In a few moments I felt that pecul- 
iar sensation stealing over me so often describ- 
ed. I felt 1113- own personality waning, going 
out as it were; as it receded I sensed approach- 
ing me another personality which soon control- 
led my organism, and as Wilson faded away so 
to speak, Sumner grew brighter until the imme- 
diate surroundings seemed to me to be illumin- 
ated with a brilliancy hard to describe. I was 
perfectly conscious of rising from a sitting posi- 
tion to a standing, I was conscious of talking 
but what I was saying I was not capable of 
noting at the time. When I became normal I 
found myself seated as before. In a few moments 
after gaining my equipoise I realized the fact 
that I had been psychologized. Mr. Galbraith 
looked amazed and finally said: "Well, Wilson, 
this is wonderful indeed; wdiat eloquence, what 
profundity, what logic. I have never heard its 
equal." I apprised my friend Mr. G. that I was 
perfectly oblivious of what I said during my ab- 



510 death; the meaning and result. 

normal condition. He thought that wonderful, 
as it is, indeed. Soon after I had ceased speak- 
ing the telegraph instrument was again in mo- 
tion and said: "Dear brother, I thank you very 
much for submitting to the effort. Charles Sum- 
ner. " 

To this I replied orally: "I arn sure Mr. Sum- 
ner, you are very welcome. I am only too glad 
to serve you." To which he replied: "Thank 
you. Now I must leave you. Dr. Shoemaker 
and Mr. Mitchell will remain with you a while. 
Good night. C. S." 

Spirits Shoemaker and Mitchell remained after 
Mr. Sumner's departure and soon a general con- 
versation was in progress. Mr. Galbraith was 
acquainted with W. P. Shoemaker before he 
passed to spirit life, but not intimately. Soon 
Mr. Galbraith, speaking orally and spirit Shoe- 
maker using the telegraph instrument engaged 
in quite a lengthy conversation. Mr. G. does 
not understand telegraphy, but on this occasion 
Mr. Dallas read for him as the Doctor operated. 
After carrying this conversation on for some time 
the spirits bade us good night and departed 
leaving Mr. Galbraith, Mr. Dallas and myself, 
so far as I know, alone with no spirits present 
except our own. My friend Mr. G. expressed 
himself as wonderfully surprised by what he 
saw and heard and remarked in substance that 
he had no doubt but that he had, for the first 
time in his life, stood face to face with spirits 
who once inhabited mortal bodies but had pas- 



death; the meaning and result. 511 

sed through the transition called death. After 
discussing the events of the evening in a general 
way for some time Mr. Galbraith, Dallas and 
myself separated. The incident spoken of by 
Mr. Sumner in his message in regard to my 
boarding a Pullman Car at Jacksonville, Fla. on 
my way home, before the train for the north 
was made up, is correct. I was puzzled at the 
time why I should do so, as the Pullman Car 
stood alone and quite a distance from the depot. 
Note. On our way south Mr. Dallas and I 
stopped, as before noted, at Jacksonville, and on 
our arrival there stopped at the Hotel Placide, 
mentioned in the spirit's message, and we each 
registered assumed names on the hotel register. 
We tried to disguise our handwriting as much 
as possible and supposed we had succeeded ad- 
mirably, but it seems by the message of spirits 
Sumner and Shoemaker, that our spirit enemies 
w r ere experts enough to identify our writing. 
On our arrival at St. Augustine we stopped at 
the Algonquin Hotel for a night and day, when 
as before mentioned, w r e rented rooms and left 
the hotel. Soon after we left the Hotel Algon- 
quin, before the time mentioned by spirits Sumner 
and Shoemaker in their message, the Algonquin 
Hotel stopped business and closed its doors, the 
proprietor thereof moving to Chicago, 111. taking 
the Hotel register with him, in which Mr. Dallas 
and I had registered assumed names on our ar- 
rival there. This fact no doubt accounts for the 
inability of our spirit enemies to find any trace 
of us at St. Augustine. 



512 death; the meaning and result. 

On May 13th we were expecting a visit from 
our friends in the border land, as on the 10th 
spirit Mitchell advised us by rapping telegraphy, 
that Dr. W. P. Shoemaker would visit us on 
this date and advised us to connect the tele- 
graph instrument with the battery. At 8 p. m. 
v^e connected the instrument as instructed and 
soon thereafter it began to tick and gave us the 
following message: "Good evening, John; good 
evening, Mr. Dallas. W. P. Shoemaker. " 

We bade the Doctor good evening, and inform- 
ed him that we were glad to meet him again. 
The instrument resumed as follows: "I have 
but little to report to you this evening. Our 
position is at the same point as when we were 
here last. The enemy are keeping their eyes open 
and we can't do much of any thing without their 
getting on to it. Prof. F. R. S. and Mr. Sum- 
ner are well and are getting on admirably. If 
you have any questions to ask I wish you to 
do so now as all work for the present must be 
abandoned. W. P. S." 

After receiving this telegram I asked a few 
questions, of but little importance, however, to 
which the Doctor answered with his usual frank- 
ness. Among other things he advised Mr. Dallas 
and I to go to Lily Dale, N. Y. the latter part 
of the coming July or the first of August, for 
the reason that very likely our spirit friends 
could better communicate with us there than at 
Bradford. We informed the Doctor that we 
would go to Lily Dale about August 1st. Finally 
he bid us good night and was gone. 



death; the meaning and result. 513 

On July 14th at 10:30 a. m. Mr. Dallas and 
I were sitting in my private office engaged in a 
general conversation, when we were interrupted 
by the familiar raps of our spirit friend Plum 
Mitchell. By rapping telegraphy he said: "Good 
morning, friends.' ' We bade him good morning 
and he again started to talk to us in this way 
but after saying a few words and before finish- 
ing the sentence the rapping suddenly stopped. 
I asked Plum what was the matter and why he 
did not proceed with his rapping telegraphy, but 
to this no reply came. We waited a few min- 
utes and hearing nothing we concluded that 
something had gone wrong. We had been in- 
formed and our experience had proven the infor- 
mation correct, that we were surrounded by an 
opposing force catalogued as enemies, and that 
we were protected from their attacks by a wall 
of some kind built by our spirit friends around 
the rooms which we at this time occupied. After 
again making the effort to hear from Mr. Mitch- 
ell, and failing to do so, we concluded that the 
enemy had attacked the wall and perhaps suc- 
ceeded in gaining access to our rooms and pres- 
ence. While we were discussing this phase of 
probabilities, we heard raps, but knew from 
their sounds that they were not produced by 
spirit Mitchell. The raps began slowly but in- 
creased in their succession which suggested to 
us that someone, not familiar with rapping tele- 
graphy, was making an effort in that direction. 
This confirmed our suspicion or rather made it 



514 death; the meaning and result, 



more certain that the "wall" had been penetrat- 
ed by the enemy. I said to the unseen spirit: 
"Are you a friend to Mr. Dallas and me?" The 
answer came in raps, "Yes." I then asked, "Is 
the wall broken?" Answer by raps, "Don'tknow." 
There was silence for a few minutes when Mr. 
Dallas suggested that very likely it was best to 
interrogate the spirit further. I then asked the 
question, "Can you tell us who you are?" An- 
swer in raps, "Yes." I then asked the spirit if 
he could employ rapping telegraphy to tell us 
his name. The rapping then became quite gen- 
eral and following each other in succession. It 
was very evident to us, that the spirit was mak- 
ing an effort to tell us who he was but could 
not succeed, and we were unable to make any- 
thing out of it. 

Soon after this occurrence we left the office for 
dinner. We returned to the office in about one 
hour and on entering we heard the familiar rap 
of our friend Mitchell. He proceeded to explain 
the mystery of the forenoon. In substance he 
said that soon after he called at the office in the 
forenoon, and opened up a conversation with us 
a part of the "wall" about the rooms collapsed; 
that he had brought with him a friend of mine, 
but as he was about to inform me of the fact, 
the "wall" gave way and he hustled out to see 
the cause of the collapse; that in leaving so sud- 
denly he left in our rooms the friend he had 
brought with him; that the cause of the "wall" 
giving way, was a weakening thereof by Prof. 



death; the meaning and result. 515 

F. R. S.'s experiments with it; that the break in 
it was repaired so soon that the enemy knew 
nothing about it. To this information I replied: 
"All right, Plum, but you have not told me 
whom the friend was who was with you." He 
resumed: "W. L. Corbett, called Judge Corbett, 
late of Clarion County, Pa." In reply to this I 
said: "Plum, can that be possible? I had not 
heard of Mr. Corbett's death. "Yes, he has been 
on our side only a few months." 

It was a great surprise to me to hear that 
Judge Corbett was on the spirit side of life. I 
knew Mr. Corbett very well in earth life, having 
practiced law at the same Bar with him, and 
who subsequently occupied the judicial bench in 
the counties of Clarion and Jefferson, Pa. Well, 
it must be so, as our friend Plum never misled 
or fabricated since our consort with him as a 
spirit. After some further conversation Mr. 
Mitchell bid us good day and withdrew. 

Note. I have said that I knew Judge Corbett 
very well. At the time I practiced law at the 
same Bar with him was in 1878-9. I was at 
that time located in Edenburg, Pa., ten miles 
distant from Clarion, the home of Mr. Corbett. 
He was also known at that time by my friend 
Plum Mitchell, then on this side of life and residing 
at Edenburg, Pa. Mr. Dallas did not know Mr. 
Corbett, never met him in life, and he tells me 
he never heard of him and did not know of the 
existence of a man by that name. As I have 
stated before, Mr. Dallas and I spent the great- 



516 death; the meaning and result. 

er part of the winter of 1895 in the South, which 
I think accounts for my not having heard of 
Mr. Corbett's death through material channels. 
Some time after being told by spirit Mitchell of 
Mr. Corbett's death, and that he had been on 
the spirit side of life but a few months, I chanc- 
ed to meet Mr. C. A. Lavens who knew Judge 
Corbett in his life, and I inquired if he knew of 
Mr. Corbett's death. He replied: " Yes, the Judge 
died some time early in 1895," but he could not 
tell the exact death. I subsequently wrote to a 
friend of mine in Clarion, Pa., and he informed 
me that Judge Corbett died January 5th, 1895, 
and as we were informed of his presence in spirit 
at my office July 14, 1895, and that he had been 
on the other side of life but a few months, turns 
out to be a true statement of facts, at the time 
unknown to either Mr. D. or myself. 

I have before stated that I had arranged an 
additional bed in my sleeping appartments for 
Mr. Dallas. Since that time he has been shar- 
ing my rooms with me. During the night of 
July 18th we had an experience worthy of note. 

I retired at this time as did Mr. Dallas about 

II p. m., each in usual health. Toward the fol- 
lowing morning, I should say about 3 a. m. I 
was partially aroused from slumber, sufficiently 
to realize that something was wrong with me 
and that I was in danger. In my half conscious 
condition I was not able to determine what the 
trouble was. I experienced a smothering sensa- 
tion, and had quite a difficulty in breathing, 



death; the meaning and result. 517 

and the heart's action was similar to that 
caused by agitation following a fright or sudden 
excitement. I realized that I was in a bad way. 
I had never been afflicted in any way with heart 
trouble before. I sensed that it was necessary 
for me to arouse myself and seek relief, and finally 
made a great effort and succeeded in becoming 
thoroughly awake. At first I thought my con- 
dition must be the effects of some hideous dream. 
I was not given to dreams to any great extent, 
and besides I could not recall a dream of any 
kind, much less one that would produce such an 
effect. Just at the time I became conscious of 
my surroundings, I heard a voice, or at least 
thought I did, which plainly said, "The Pope is 
here and at Dallas.' ' I immediately got out of 
my bed and started over to the bed which Mr. 
Dallas was occupying, but before I got close 
enough to shake him he arose to a sitting posi- 
tion and said, "John, what is the matter with 
me, I can hardly breathe," and he began to rub 
his left arm and leg and further said, "My arm 
and leg have no feeling in them." I assisted him 
in restoring sensation to his limbs. I then told 
him what a time I had been having and what 
I had heard somebody say. We concluded that 
something out of the ordinary had been going 
on in our rooms. We dressed and repaired to 
breakfast both feeling much the worse for our 
experience. We heard nothing of our spirit friends 
until 3 p. m. at which time spirit Harvey Mason 
signified his presence by rapping and gave us 



518 death; the meaning and result. 

the following message: "Don't be alarmed. All 
is well. The Professor laid a trap for the Pope 
last night and got one. Don't know what his 
name is. The Professor opened the wall, and 
the Pope rushed in and attacked both of you 
while you w-ere asleep. Plum arrived in time to 
rescue you. All is well and in good order. I 
must leave you now. Plum will be here later. 
Good bye. Harvey Alason." 

At 10:30 p. m. we got this message by rap- 
ping telegraphy: "Good evening, John and Ed. 
I had a great time last night. Prof. F. R. S. 
laid a trap for the enemy by apparently remov- 
ing part of the wall surrounding your rooms. 
The opening was discovered by one who was a 
Pope on the earth side before passing over. The 
Pope rushed in, and before I could get in, after 
the wall closed, he had attacked both of you. 
I spoke to Mr. Wilson and got him aroused, 
and Dallas woke up. The pope was trying to 
strangle you and stop the heart's movement. 
He is a strong spirit and if he had not divided 
his time between you and centered his force on 
one, he would have ended the mortal part sure. 
The Pope is in our possession. I do not know 
how long we will hold him. It will teach the 
enemy not to get too fresh with our wall. Plum 
Mitchell." 

I thanked Plum for his coming to our rescue 
and thus saving us. I also asked him w^hat 
Pope it was who had been thus trapped. He 
said he was not sure but thought it was Leo 
IX. After a little further talk Plum bade us good 
night. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

At Lily Dale— Meet Spirits Mitchell and Mason— Spec- 
ial Meeting Arranged — Meet Spirits Shoemaker and 
F. R. S. — Cordiality Extended — Important Message — 
Directed by Spirit F. R. S. — Comments on Trip South 
— Wall Stationed— Danger— Carefully Guarded by 
Spirits Mitchell and Mason— Comments on Assault — 
Trying Experiment— Advice Given — Hope for Success 
— Return to Bradford — Aieet Spirit Mason — Special 
Meeting Arranged— Meet Spirits Sumner, F. R. S. 
and Shoemaker— Plan Changed — Dallas to Go to 
Buffalo, N. Y. — Wilson to Remain in Bradford, Pa. — 
Preliminaries — Efforts of Enemy to Ridicule Spiritists 
— Instructions — Messages From Spirits Sumner, F. 
R. S. and Shoemaker — Spirit Mason Expert Telegra- 
pher — Message Translated and Transmitted — Wall 
Opened — Visit by Strange Spirit — Wall Closed. 

Lily Dale, N. Y., August 25, 1895. Mr. Dallas 
and I came to this place from Bradford, Pa. on 
the first day of this month. We heard nothing 
of importance from our spirit friends since our 
last meeting, already noted, until this date. Oc- 
casionally, spirits Mitchell and Mason would 
signify their presence by raps. Yesterday Alason 
signified his presence by rapping telegraphy and 



520 death; the meaning and result. 

informed us that on this day at 9:30 p. m., spir- 
its F. R. S. and Shoemaker would meet us at 
our rooms here, and instructed us to prepare 
the telegraph instrument as on former occasions 
for the meeting; therefore we were expecting to 
meet some of our leaders from the other side of 
life. At 9 p. m. we repaired to our rooms and 
invited James S. Galbraith to accompany us. 
We connected our telegraph instrument to a 
small battery fully explained heretofore. Soon 
after we had thus connected the instrument it 
was being operated by a spirit unseen by us at 
the time and gave us the following message: 
"Good evening, gentlemen and brothers. I am 
happy to grasp you by the hand once again. 
William Patterson Shoemaker." 

We all bade the Doctor, good evening and I 
said further: "Doctor, I am very happy to 
meet you again, and I know I can say as much 
for Mr. Dallas and my friend Mr. Galbraith. ,, 
A few minutes rest and the instrument was in 
motion and by spirit power gave us the follow- 
ing: "I am glad to be here among you. I hard- 
ly expected as much a few months ago, but our 
leader is ever on the watch for an opportunity 
to communicate to you. I expect F. R. S. here 
in a few moments. He will direct the important 
message you are to get this evening. I hope I 
find you as well as you look. W. P. S." 

In reply to this message we all assured the 
Doctor that we were well. A few minutes elapsed 
and again the instrument was being operated by 



death; the meaning and result. 521 

the wonderful spirit Prof. F. R. S. and we received 
the following message: " Gentlemen: When last 
I met you, I did not expect to see you again so 
soon, but hard work and willing hands can ac- 
complish much, and through the aid and work 
of us all we are enabled to be together tonight. 
Many things have happened since w r e left the 
South last winter, and I will try and explain 
how matters stand with us at present. You 
know of the enemy finding out your absence 
from Bradford, Pa. and tracing you to Jackson- 
ville, Fla./and of your return home. It was 
not unexpected to me and I was prepared for 
such a turn of affairs. Immediately on your re- 
turn to Bradford I stationed a wall around your 
building so that you could be free from the ene- 
my, but this did not prevent them from several 
times making an attack on the power which 
surrounded you. Several times you w r ere in dan- 
ger of joining us over here, but I am pleased to 
say that to Plum and Harvey you owe much, 
for by their careful watching over you alone 
have you escaped. As I wished to save as much 
power as possible I made a number of experi- 
ments with the wall, and only to find that un- 
less the enemy gave me a clear coast I could 
not use it. 

"One day the thought came to me that I might 
lay a trap for some of them, so that a warning 
might be of use to them and their outlooks. 
Where the wall is weak I took away enough to 
make the room look transparent and the wall 



522 death; the meaning and result. 

gone. At the time one of their leaders came 
along, and seeing the parting, entered. You 
were both asleep at the time, and recognizing 
you the gentleman tried to strangle you, but he 
was too anxious and in too much of a hurry so 
you both escaped. Plum was on the outside at 
the time and seeing how matters stood, rushed 
in and captured him. We took him prisoner, 
but through some fault he escaped, and it may 
be just as well, as we have all we can do at 
present to look after our own party. Now, that 
he is back among his Catholic friends and other 
ancients I trust that will be a lesson to them. 
I have an idea we will be left to ourselves now 
for some time. I find that the enemy have not 
given up the idea of doing all in their power to 
prevent us in our work, and they expect that 
you are now keeping together for that purpose. 
Dr. Shoemaker spoke to me some time ago 
about a proposal to go to Buffalo, N. Y., and he 
could help you some way in regard to business 
matters. Now, while I would like to see you 
both successful in business, I am of the opinion 
that it would be better to try and get along 
without our help. I believe that if you would 
both go to Buffalo and enter into some business 
determined on by you it would help us greatly. 

4 'If the enemy saw you had given up Bradford 
and taken up something new, I think that 
would end matters so far as they are concerned, 
while if you continue in Bradford they will still 
suspect us. They know we are able to see you at 



death; the meaning and result. 523 

times, as Plum Mitchell was on hand so readily 
the night before spoken of in this message. 
Therefore, I would suggest that you leave Brad- 
ford and enter into a business where you could 
both have some work until I see how they take 
the move. I cannot say how long before our 
work will be recommenced, but at the furthest 
it will not take more than three years. I may 
say in conclusion that I am preparing a force 
which will wash them out of their position if 
at the end of that time they maintain their 
present position. I thank Mr. Galbraith for the 
interest he has taken in our cause. He will not 
be forgotten by me in the future. F. R. S." 

After this long message without a break or 
interruption, operating the telegraph instrument 
seemingly with ease and dispatch, this wonderful 
entity unseen by us mortals, came to a rest, 
and the instrument became silent. A few 
minutes elapsed and then the following was ticked 
off: "Well, gentlemen, the foregoing is our mes- 
sage. It required a great deal of hard work 
and expenditure of energy to prepare for and 
give you what you have, but it is indeed a 
pleasure to us all to be able to to do as well as 
we have. F. R. S., W. P. S." At the conclusion 
of this message I replied: "Well, gentlemen, we 
mortals appreciate your great efforts and the 
results. We note carefully what you say, and 
thank you for the information and will consider 
and take your proposition under advisement/ ' 
After some desultory talk between mortals and 



524 death; the meaning and result. 

immortals, spirits F. R. S. and W. P. S. bade us 
good night and withdrew, and soon thereafter 
Dallas, Galbraith and mj^self separated. 

Bradford, Pa., September 17, 1895. Since 
returning here from Lily Dale, we have heard 
nothing of importance from our spirit friends, 
except on the 14th inst. at which time spirit 
Mason signified to us by raps that he was pres- 
ent, and by rapping telegraphy he informed us 
that spirits Prof. F. R. S., Hon. Charles Sumner 
and Dr. W. P. Shoemaker would visit us at my 
office on the 17th inst. and instructed us to have 
the telegraph instrument in readiness at 4:30 p. 
m. So on this da}' at the hour named, we were 
prepared for our expected visitors. After our 
preparations we had not long to wait, for as 
the hands of the clock pointed to the hour the 
instrument began to tick and in a vigorous man- 
ner, without break or interruption gave us the 
following message which Mr. Dallas wrote down, 
as it came to us: 

"September 17, 1895. To J. K. W. and E. D., 
Gentlemen: Since communicating with you at 
Lily Dale I have had Plum and Mr. Mason in 
the camp of the enemy. 

"We placed them there to learn if possible the 
enemy's intentions and plans if the}' had formed 
any, and to observe the attitude of their leaders 
in regard to your present position here in Brad- 
ford. After much labor and difficulty Plum return- 
ed and submitted a report which although 
expected by me places a somewhat different 
light on the present position occupied by them. 



death; the meaning and result. 525 

"The investigation finds that they have taken 
3 r our return to Bradford in a very suspicious 
manner, and they are looking closely for another 
move. They are of the opinion that you will 
not remain here long and are now forming plans 
to watch you as closely as possible. Now the 
position it places us in is this: If we follow the 
last plan suggested by us at Lily Dale, we are 
liable to enter right into their hands or trap of 
which we alone are aware. It is most import- 
ant that we should mislead them from the start, 
and if you both went to Buffalo that would not 
be doing so. Mr. Sumner, Dr. W. P. Shoemaker 
and myself have talked over the situation for 
several days, and at my suggestion, the follow- 
ing move is the only one we know of at present 
that can be carried out with safety to us all. 

"After the 24th or 25th of this month we will 
remove a portion of the wall surrounding this 
building, move just enough to admit the enemy 
to observe and hear your conversation. During 
the week following Mr. Dallas will make arrange- 
ments to leave Bradford for Buffalo, on a day 
which we will agree upon later, where he must 
locate for the present. He will take everything 
that he possesses along, as he is not likely to 
return here. In Buffalo we will find him a posi- 
tion that will suit him, and something that will 
lead the enemy to believe that you have parted 
for good. 

"There are two propositions we offer to Mr. 
Wilson: First — He can remain here in Bradford 



526 death; the meaning and result. 

and we will help him to regain his business until 
such time as we deem it advisable for both of 
you to meet and remain together. Second — He 
can select some other city in which he wishes to 
do business. Of course the latter proposition 
would necessitate us building an additional wall, 
but that we are willing and able to do if the 
latter plan is adopted. I, myself, apart from C. 
S. and W. P. S. would prefer the first plan, as 
in my opinion going back as he does to his old 
business the enemy could not possibly discover 
our movements or plans. 

"Much as I know that you do not want to be 
separated, it is most important that this plan 
be followed, as the future of our work all depends 
on the retirement of the enemy from their present 
threatening attitude. During the week the wall 
is removed you can both act your parts, and as 
you in reality are parting this will not be difficult. 
As Mr. Dallas cannot find enough work in this 
city he has to leave for a larger city, and Buffalo 
is a good field for him to find work; this will be 
the substance of your conversation in the pres- 
ence of the enemy. After Mr. Dallas leaves we 
will close the wall again, or remove to the place 
determined on by Mr. Wilson. In the meantime 
we have a power surrounding you which will 
enable you to remain safe from the enemy, and 
this individual wall Mr. Dallas will take along 
with him to Buffalo, so he can rest assured 
that no advancement can be made upon him, 
or any bodily injury be attempted on him. We 



death; the meaning and result. 527 

will look after that part, and as to Mr. Wil- 
son, the same care will be taken of him. 

"Of course we cannot expect to communicate 
to you as often as we otherwise would, but in 
case of inportant information, we will have 
Mr. Dallas come to Bradford, or wherever J. K. 
W. is located, or J. K. W. go to Buffalo, just as 
the opportunity presents itself. Lesser news will 
be given by raps, but we will do as little com- 
municating as possible until we see how this 
plan will form out; and how long we will have 
to keep you separated will depend on methods 
employed by the enemy. We fully realize that 
these plans are not as you both would like them, 
but if ultimate success is to be obtained this is 
the best and at present the only method I know 
of. 

"As we told you early in the spring the enemy 
are at present trying to shake the confidence of 
the people by showing them that so-called man- 
ifestations are impositions, and I am sorry to 
state they are succeeding beyond my expecta- 
tions. They are responsible for most of the work 
done at Lily Dale this summer and other places 
of which you will learn later. They are bringing 
all the spare force at their command into play to 
ridicule Spiritists and their work before the pub- 
lic eye. Their success naturally encourages them 
to leave no obstacle unturned that will in any way 
help them, and we who have so much at stake 
must stand aside and see all this without daring 
to stop them in their damnable work of des- 



528 death; the meaning and result. 

truction. Sometimes, gentlemen, I can hardly 
refrain from giving orders to our people to do 
battle with them before they go a step further, 
but I am only held back by that sense of duty 
which recognizes a false step towards attaining 
the end and goal of our work, but the day is 
coming and not far distant when over here 
this opposing force shall be swept away with- 
out mercy, and woe to any who shall dare ask 
it of us; it was better for him that he never was 
born of human or spirit life. Prof. F. R. S." 

After this message was given a few moments 
elapsed and then the following was ticked off: 
"So, this is our plan and you know just how 
the matter stands between you and us. Think 
it over carefully and we will return this even- 
ing about 9 o'clock Leave everything as it is 
until we come again. Charles Sumner. " And 
then this message came: "Gentlemen, I will see 
you this evening so will reserve myself until that 
time. William P. Shoemaker.' ' 

Mr. Dallas and I abided our time until 9 p. m. 
at which time the telegraph instrument was 
again doing service and operated by spirit power 
and we received the following message: "Good 
evening, gentlemen: We are again with you 
only to discuss in a general way the plans and 
propositions contained in our message to you 
this afternoon. Prof. F. R. S., Charles Sumner, 
W. P. Shoemaker." We bade the spirits good 
evening and informed them that we were glad 
to have them with us, to which they replied via 



death; the meaning and result. 529 

instrument: "We would like to have each of you 
express your opinion to us in regard to our 
propositions. F. R. S." 

After receiving this message we engaged in a 
general conversation with the spirits in reference 
to the propositions and plans submitted by them 
and set forth in their message of the afternoon; 
The spirits using the instrument to convey their 
thoughts to us, and we speaking orally. We 
event over their plans and propositions carefully 
and after due consideration Dallas and I assented 
to them, realizing that we could only rely on 
our spirit friends to formulate plans to accom- 
plish the work which they had set apart to do. 
It was decided by us that Mr. Dallas should go 
to Buffalo, N. Y., and I would remain in Brad- 
ford, Pa. All the arrangements being thus com- 
plete our friends bade us good night and retired. 

Note. In this message the spirits refer to the 
demonstrations at Lily Dale, and that the enemy 
are responsible for what occurred there. During 
the season of 1895 at Lily Dale many mediums 
were exposed, and brought into disrepute by 
palming off fake demonstrations on credulous 
people, claiming that they were produced by 
spirit power, and thereby reflecting on Spiritual- 
ists and their philosophy. I have no doubt that 
this is what spirit F. R. S. referred to in his 



message. 



On the 21st of September, spirit Dr. Shoemaker 
signified his presence at my office and informed 
us by rapping telegraphy that spirit F. R. S. 



530 death; the meaning and result. 

would visit us on September 23, at 9 p. m., and 
he instructed ns to have the telegraph instrument 
in readiness at that time, so on this, the 23rd, 
we were in waiting for the Professor. At 9 
o'clock sharp the instrument began to tick and 
gave us the following message: "Good evening, 
gentlemen: We thought best to give yoti a few 
more instructions along lines of plan as disclosed 
in our message of the 17th. Understand, you 
are not to see each other personally, after Mr. 
Dallas leaves here for Buffalo, until such time- 
as we think it safe. As far as correspondence is- 
concerned 3 r ou can write each other with freedom, 
but don't send over one letter a week for the 
first three months. If Mr. Wilson should be in 
Buffalo on business, do not call on Dallas, unless 
you advise us first, and we will let you k»ow 
when it is best to meet. On all other matters 
you are free to act as you think best. 

We will open the wall Wednesday morning* at 
6 a. m., and close it Mondajr, 30th, at 6 p. m. 
Go about your business as if nothing was trans- 
piring, and do as you were in the habit of doing 
for the past months. Do not talk on the 
subject of Spiritualism much, but you may men- 
tion the failure of the work and the success of 
the enemy, in moderation. Have Mr. J. G. 
remain away from rooms until after Monday, 
when -we will close up the wall again. T. K. W. 
can write him to that effect. 

"It is not necessary for Mr. Dallas to finish 
getting ready before the wall closes, but he can 



death; the meaning and result. 531 

prepare to that end and finish about October 
3rd. He will leave Bradford between the 4th 
and 7th of October. We will give the date by 
raps after we close the wall. Mr. Dallas must 
not be anxious if we do not find him a position 
right away, but take matters as natural as 
possible. If Mr. Dallas wishes to leave Buffalo 
for a few days at a time be sure he lets its know 
first, so that we can follow, but it will not be 
necessary for Mr. Wilson to do so. This is all 
we have to say over the line, but Mr. Sumner 
and W. P. S. will come to you and answer any 
question you may have to put. F. R. S., by 
trams., Hamey Mason, opr. 

In about thirty minutes after receiving this 
message the instrument was again manipulated 
by unseen power as usual and ticked off the 
following: "Good evenings gentlemen: We hope 
we find you both well. Charles Sumner, W. P. 
Shoemaker." We bade Mr. Sumner and Dr. Shoe- 
maker good evening and the instrument resumed: 
"We came at the suggestion of Prof. P. U. S. to 
answer any questions you may wish to put in 
relation to his last message, or any explanation 
you may desire. Charles Sumner. " 

After receiving this message we entered into a 
conversation with the Doctor and Mr. Sumner 
in reference to the contents of the Professor's 
message, we speaking orally and the spirits con- 
veying their thoughts by telegraph. After dis- 
cussing the subject for about one hour they bade 
us srood nig-lit. Before they left, however, and: 



532 death; the meaning and result. 

during our conversation I asked Mr. Sumner 
how Prof. F. R. S. managed to give us his last 
message, as by its wording I inferred that he 
was not with us at the time in person, 
and what was meant by the words following 
his signature, "by trans., Harvey Mason. " Mr. 
Sumner replied in substance that the Professor 
was not in our presence at the time, but that 
an electric element answering the purpose of a 
wire had been established, at the furthest end 
of which the Professor manipulated the "break 
and make" of the circuit, to a position occupied 
by Harvey Mason, an expert electrician in spirit, 
who received the message from the Professor, in 
cipher, and stationed a few feet from our instru- 
ment; that on receipt of the message he trans- 
lated it to Plum Mitchell also a spirit tele- 
grapher who controlled the current of our instru- 
ment from which the message was received 
by us. 

October 7, 1895. Since September 23 we have 
heard but little from our spirit friends. On the 
morning of September 25th the day on which, 
as we had been informed, the wall about our 
rooms would be opened, Mr. Dallas and I went 
about our routine of business in the usual way. 
About 10 o'clock of that day we heard raps 
loud and distinct, about the office. We paid no 
attention to the rappings, and conducted our- 
selves in a manner indicating that we did not 
hear them at all. We surmised that the enemy 
of whom we had been so often appraized, and 



death; the meAning and result. 533 

especially on this occasion, were creating the dis- 
turbance. Occasional}' Mr. Dallas and I would 
engage in conversation with each other on com- 
monplace topics, during which the raps would 
come thick, loud and persistent, evidently for the 
purpose of attracting our attention. However, 
we paid no attention to them, and thus averted 
opening a conversation with our unseen visit- 
ors, which no doubt they desired to have us do. 
This same program was followed by us during 
September 26, 27, 28, 29 and until 5 p. m. on 
September 30, when the rappings and disturb- 
ances in and about my office created and pro- 
duced by that mysterious and unseen force, 
ceased, and we heard nothing further from them. 
At exactly 6 o'clock and 10 minutes p. m., Sep- 
tember 30, we heard a familiar rap and recognized 
it as being produced by spirit Harvey Mason, 
and by rapping telegraphy he informed us that 
the wall was closed, and all intruders barred 
out. On yesterday spirit Shoemaker visited us 
and by rapping telegraphy he informed us that 
the day for Mr. Dallas to go from here to Buf- 
falo, N. Y. and take up his residence there until 
further ordered, was the morning of October 7. 
In pursuance of this arrangement Mr. Dallas 
left Bradford for Buffalo on this day. What 
will come of the move is hard to determine; 
whether a failure or success time alone will 
determine. Otir spirit friends advise us that it 
is quite certain to be a success, but they are not 
infallible, and can only predict the future by 



334 ©&ath; Tats MEXxmo a^t> result. 

reasoning from cause to effect. We shall wait 
and see. I am to remain in Bradford until 
farther advised. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

Important Meeting — Wilson, Gaibraith, Dallas, and 
Spirits F. R. S., Mitchell and Mason Present— The 
Object — A Wonderful Message — Important Move — 
Ego After Passing Divide — Plan Disclosed — Dallas 
and Wilson to Separate — The Object — Outlook For 
Success — Instructions — Dallas to Leave Buffalo — Wil- 
son to Remain in Bradford — To Meet in Near Future 
— Powers to be Submitted — Its Effect — Revolution in 
Doctrines — Message by Spirit Shoemaker — What He 
Says — Great Confidence — Predicts Success — Dallas 
Leaves Buffalo — Settles in Portland — Message From 
Spirit Mitchell — Difficulties Arise— Delay — Spirit Yon 
Helmholtz Joins Force — Complications Arise — Success 
Doubtful — Another Wonderful Message — Spirit Shoe- 
maker Directs — Climax Reached — Priests and Poperj 
Proposition to Withdraw Resistance — Refused — 
Unable to Proceed — Failure Admitted — Cause Explain- 
ed — Leaders Enter College— Spirits' Leave-taking. 

Bradford, Pa., July 12, 1897. One year, nine 
months and five days have elapsed since writing 
the last item in this record. During this time Mr. 
Dallas had remained in Buffalo, N. Y., employed 
at his trade as jeweler most of the time. I have 
remained in Bradford, Pa. giving most of my 



536 death; the meaning and result. 

attention to the practice of law. We corres- 
ponded with eacli other but made no extended 
reference in our letters to each other, about the 
work to which to some extent we had engaged, 
under the direction of forces and individualities 
from the other side of the great divide. When 
we did refer to it in our correspondence it was 
in cipher known only to us and a small coterie 
of our spirit friends. We heard but little from 
our friends on the other side of life. If they 
were meeting with success or reverse we knew 
it not. Intercommunication was, to all appear- 
ances, conjested. 

On the 11th of this month Yesterday) I was 
advised by my spirit friends that the time had 
come to bring Mr. Dallas and me together for 
further instructions and advice and that Dallas 
would be in Bradford on the morning of July 
12, and that our spirit friends would meet us 
at my office room at 8:30 p. m.; they also> 
instructed me to connect the telegraph instru- 
ment with the battery as on former occasions 
and to have everything in readiness to receive a 
message of importance from them. True to my 
information Mr. Dallas arrived in Bradford 
today at 12 M. He came to my office imme- 
diately on arriving here, and at 8:30 p. m. we 
had everything in readiness to receive our spirit 
friends. During the meantime I had advised my 
friend, James S. Galbraith, of our intended meet- 
ing, and he was on hand for the occasion. At 
7:45 p. m. our spirit friend and electrician sigiai- 



Q 



death; the meaning and result. o37 

fied his presence by rapping telegraphy. He 
inspected the telegraph instrument, the way it 
was connected, tried the circuit and pronounced 
it O. K. He informed us that he was here for 
the purpose of assisting in telegraphing the mes- 
sage we were to receive, and informed us that 
spirit F. R. S. would be present at 8:30 p. m. 
Exactly at 8:30 o' clock the telegraph instrument 
began to tick being operated by that unseen 
force as on former occasions and gave us the 
following message: 

"Good evening, gentlemen: Glad to meet you 
all again. I see you have things in readiness, 
and Plum and Harvey tell me that they have 
examined the instrument and connections and 
find them in good condition. F. R. S." We in 
turn bid the Professor good evening and assured 
him that we were glad to meet him again. Soon 
thereafter the instrument, operated in this won- 
derful way, ticked off the folio wing message: 

"To J. K. W., J. S. G. and E. M. D. Gentle- 
men: We have brought you together on this 
occasion, as we are going to make a very 
important move at this stage ot our preparatory 
work. During the interval of time that 
has elapsed since we first met we have remod- 
eled our plans and have now established 
new and more reliable methods of working with 
you. We have carefully submitted our future 
plan to the most searching examination by one 
of our highest intelligences over here, and the 
workings have been pronounced a complete sue- 



53S death; the meaning and result. 

cess, both in the practical forms and in the 
advantages it gives us over the old system. 

•'You understand, gentlemen, that when we 
first took up the work of demonstrating the 
truth to the world that the ego has a remark- 
able personality and future after passing the 
great divide, we took upon ourselves the task 
never before attempted, on such a grand scale, 
by any large body of spirits and as we were 
amateurs in this direction, we could only cope 
with the points that appeared in our way as 
they were presented to us. But now we have 
studied up a theory which is well nigh impreg- 
nable, and with our past experience, should the 
enemy offer any objections to our going ahead, 
they would present a very sorry spectacle after 
we got through with them. Although we have 
the means at hand to destroy this force, we deem 
it best for several reasons to let them stand, as 
we have ascertained beyond all doubt that the 
leaders of the small minority now existing have 
thought better of their former opinions, and have 
given up the idea of retarding us. At any rate 
we are now ready to cope with them and will 
be ever on our guard. We are going to proceed 
with the utmost caution, as a careless move on 
our part might arouse their leaders from the 
distrait into which they have fallen, and as we 
do not care to come unnecessary in contact 
with the Catholic ubiquitary force, we have de- 
termined on a course of action w^hich has been 
selected bv us after careful deliberation. 



DEATH; THE -MKAX1XG AND RESULT. 539 

"III. Ill renewing out work with you both 
^ve desire that the surroundings will harmonise 
with our new method which Mr. Sumner and 
his able aids will submit to you when we are 
ready. We, therefore, have selected a site in 
Europe to bring our final issue to a focus. We 
now wish to separate you further apart be- 
fore coming together for good. We do this to 
enable you to meet at a given point from differ- 
ent localities without the acumen of the opposi- 
tion being aroused, and several other reasons 
which you will understand later. We have ar- 
ranged through spirit influence, that a college 
will be offered to you for your use, w^hich has 
the proper surroundings for us and with the help 
of some of the most learned scholars in Europe 
we will develop you in the several phases set 
aside for each. This offer will come to you in 
such a manner that you will easily distinguish 
the source from which it is derived, as I have 
some of my own personal friends at work, now 
in the body, preparing for this move, and when 
once you are established in what I know will be 
very agreeable quarters to you both we will 
commence the work of building up to the cul- 
minating point without any fear of retrogression 
or intrusion. We expect that in three months 
from the start we will have Mr. Dallas' powers 
established on a firmer and everlasting basis. 
Mr. Wilson will be operated upon by Mr. Sum- 
ner in one phase of mediumship only, while Mr. 
Dallas will have ail his old powers developed 
lie possessed before the break. 



540 death; the meaning and result. 

"IV. After we have perfected } r ou both it is 
our intention to submit your powers to a com- 
mittee of Professors from a famous university 
who will test }^ou in such a manner that no 
doubt will remain in their minds as to your 
ability of demonstrating that which they are in 
search of, which we know 3-011 can do. Your 
way will be clear and smooth, and through them 
you will reach the masses. We do not intend, 
however, that you will give public demonstra- 
tions for some time afterwards, as private calls 
will be more urgent and will establish a record 
which cannot be broken or doubted. I once gave 
a lecture in the college spoken of among many 
of my friends, some of whom are with us now, 
and as only one record still exists, and that kept 
private, I intend to repeat the same in order 
that a friend of mine may learn and understand. 

"V. This, then, is a faint outline of what you 
may expect in 1898, and by the opening of the 
new century a new faith will be universally ad- 
mitted. But this must suffice you for the mo- 
ment as particulars will be given you anon and 
you can rest assured that when the opportune 
day is at hand your instructions will be given 
you in such a manner that there will be no room 
for mistakes. Make no advancement towards 
this day unless advised through us, as we will 
see that plenty of time be allowed you to make 
the necessary changes. I would also mention 
the fact that Mr. J. S. G. could accompany yon, 
after your training is complete, so that some- 



death; the Meaning and result. 541 

one in whom we have entire confidence can act 
as your manager and attend to all business 
relations. We have no doubt but that you will 
be besieged on all sides when you are fully under 
way, and a system must be decided on, early in 
the work. We have therefore given the prefer- 
ence to Mr. J. S. G. as he is one of us, but this 
offer must not be considered compulsory on his 
part, and may be acted upon as he may here- 
after decide. 

44 VI. As we have but a short time left we de- 
sire Mr. Dallas to leave Buffalo without any un- 
due haste, and locate in some western city near 
the Pacific Coast for the balance of the time and 
there await our final orders. We will specify 
special location through Air. Plum Mitchell be- 
fore he leaves Buffalo, as we have not decided 
what offers the best advantages to us. You will 
be advised by D. from Buffalo, as he will not 
start for about three weeks. There are several 
points to be considered in so doing. Mr. D. can 
enter some kind of business in a small way in 
order that a sufficient sum be derived from it 
for his support, which can be dropped about the 
time we desire. The future work, gentlemen, will 
not only make you famous, but will place you 
far above the ordinary man in knowledge, wis- 
dom and riches, if you so desire. 

"VII. Let y our correspondence be as limited 
as usual when Dallas is settled; you can use the 
same cipher as employed by you at present. 
Mr. Dallas, entering as he does a new alumni, 



542 death; the meaning and result. 

will be able to progress in the preparatory work 
thus enabling us to gain time which otherwise 
would be lost if he remained in Buffalo, so we 
take this method which gives us the advantage 
in preference to any other. 

H ¥IIT. I wish the conditions were such that 
we could introduce all of your friends, both old 
and new, at this meeting tonight, but you will 
understand that on such an important occasion 
the less we deviate from the normal lines the 
safer we are from intrusion. Mr. Sumner in- 
tended to accompany me here, but as wc ap- 
proached the zonoic circle we found it best that 
I should come over alone. Plum Mitchell and 
Harvev Mason have so saturated themselves 
with the zoophyte at present surrounding you 
that they find no difficulty in overcoming the 
laws of spirit power, while any other spirit 
could find no access to such a metallic vivicatuaL 

"IX. We have worked for one month to create 
the effect here produced, and we can guarantee 
that while Mr. Dallas is in Bradford he is safe 
from the sight of any denomination of spirits 
that are around. This force has been invented by 
a prominent Professor in one of our colleges on our 
side of life, and were it understood by mortals,. 
could be applied by man among men, but the 
force is of such density that extended over a long 
period it would produce an elaolite which we do 
desire to contend with, so that we will remove 
it as soon as it serves our purpose. Mr. Dallas 
can use ordinary liberties while here; you can fee 
seen together with safety. 



death; the meaning and result. 543 

M X. What there is in future for us all I am 
not at liberty to state, but we can see the day 
at hand when your protocol will not only as- 
tonish the philosophic mind, but the masses in 
general will raise such a furor that a revolution 
may take place in many doctrines. We are ready 
to produce the cause and the effect remains to 
be witnessed by future generations. 

XI. Our first experience resulted in a very fair 
issue considering the odds we had to contend 
with, but under our new laws we can extermi- 
nate any foreign opposition that ma}- be offered. 
Since our last effort in this direction we have 
been joined by a class of spirits w^ho have at- 
tained the highest sphere of perfection in the 
spiritual w r orld. This force has the experience of 
years of time, and a gravity of power which will 
be of great benefit in future work. 

"XII. As soon as } r ou have arranged matters 
for 3'our parting Mr. Dallas can return to Buffa- 
lo, w r here final information for the completion of 
our plans will be given him by Plum Mitchell. 
You, gentlemen, remain in the same routine of 
life as you have followed, and so let not any- 
thing said in this message influence you from 
the daily life in which 3^011 serve. But when the 
time comes, I know we can count on the ready 
action of the mortal material which we have 
selected from among the many. Serve us faith- 
fully, we can and will do what we say, and when 
your work is over on your side, 3 r ou can enter 
into the everlasting glories and rest, 'stat mag- 
ni nominis umbra' for etemitv. 



544 death; the meaning and result. 

"XIII. This then, is our message, given to 
you this 12th clay of July, 1897. I have tried 
to be precise and pointed, a Yery hard feature 
in along message. I had to consider three oper- 
ators, Plum Mitchell and Harvey Mason spirits, 
and E. M. Dallas mortal, and as the importance 
of such information is of vast import to get 
correctly. We have been careful and I think the 
foregoing expresses what we wish to convey to 
you in all particulars. We have taken this course 
which also gives you the privilege of interchange 
of thought and the pleasure of meeting once 
again. 

"XIV'. Your good friend and leader, Dr. Shoe- 
maker, sends you all the love and respect one 
brother can have for another, also your noble 
leader, Charles Sumner, a man whom you may 
well be proud of. And now, wishing you all a 
pleasant Au Reyoir, I will close trusting you will 
follow out our washes in the same spirit as has 
been shown in your past. Prof. F. R. S." 
Sending operators, Receiving operator, 
"Plum Mitchell, E. M. Dallas. 

Harvey Mason." 
Bradford, Pa., July 13, 1897. During the in- 
terim from receiving the last message the instru- 
ment remained in the same position as when 
used at that time. I had, however, disconnected 
it from the battery. At 10 a. m. today Mr. 
Galbraith, Dallas and myself met at my office. 
Soon after our meeting we were discussing the 
wonderful message received on yesterday, when 



death; tup: meaning and result. 545 

we were interrupted by spirit raps. They were 
familiar to Mr. Dallas and I, and w r e readily recog- 
nized them as being produced by spirit Dr. Shoe- 
maker. He instructed us by rapping telegraphy 
to connect the instrument with the battery, 
which I did and gave us the following message: 
''Gentlemen: I have no doubt you are surprised 
at the message received from us through Prof. 
F. R. S. last evening, but we find that this move 
is the best under the circumstances, and we think 
the safest method. I am sorry to ask } r ou to 
-•art once more, especially at this time of the 
year, when we all would like to breathe the 
lively breezes of Lily Dale, but the Professor 
has j)ointed out to us the advisability of this 
plan, and in the end it will be best for us all. I 
personalis' long for the day when we can get to- 
gether as of old, but we have not long to wait 
now. When the time arrives you can be assured 
that I, among the others, will be on top of the 
":eap. 

"We have worked out our new methods very 
successfully, and I have great confidence in F. R. 
>. In fact the work has assumed such great pro- 
portions that we have tnven over the con- 
:rol to the Professor and Air. Sumner. Many 
new friends have joined us since I met j-ou gen- 
tlemen last; their strength gives us more courage. 
We did not realize when w^e started in our small 
way what the result would be and perhaps it is 
t est we did not, as the task at that time would 
seem impossible. But thanks to Prof. F. R. S.'s 



546 death; the meaning and result. 

unbounded success and management we are now 
on the high road to accomplish the end. I have 
given my entire attention to our plans, and we are 
ready when the opportunity arrives to go ahead 
as of old. All that the Professor has said in the 
message has our assent. I ma} r say that most of 
the plans are complete or almost so now. Wil- 
liam Patterson Shoemaker, M. D." 

After receiving this message a general conver- 
sation w^as carried on by us mortals and the 
spirit Doctor, we speaking orally and he expres- 
sing his thoughts by use of the telegraph instru- 
ment. He seemed to have great confidence in 
the outcome of the plan indicated by the former 
message. I had, before the Doctor signified his 
presence, in conversing with Mr. Galbraith and 
Mr. Dallas, expressed myself that it might de- 
velop that the Professor was over confident of 
the ultimate attainments set forth in his message, 
and bj' the tone of the Doctor's message I should 
judge it was, in part at least, for the purpose of 
stimulating my confidence in the ability of our 
spirit friends to accomplish what the}^ had 
promised. The spirit Doctor and I, after the 
last message, had a long talk concerning this 
new move. He w^ent over the plans quite in de- 
tail, and expressed himself as having the utmost 
confidence in the ability of our spirit friends to 
do all and more than they had said. The plans, 
as near as I could judge, w r ere feasible, and know- 
ing Dr. Shoemaker so well before he passed to 
spirit life and knowing him to be a man of honest, 



DEATH; THE MEANING AND RESULT. v r )4i 

high and good purpose, and keen clear judgment 
and fully cognizant that his presence was before 
me as a spirit, maintaining his individuality and 
integrity, I believed what he said. We assured 
him that all instructions would be carried out 
to the best of our ability and our hope was for 
their -ultimate success. Finally the Doctor bade 
us good day and departed. 

Bradford, Pa., September 1, 1897. In pursuance 
of the instructions contained in the messages of 
July 12th and 13th last, Mr. Dallas left Brad- 
ford for Buffalo. I remained in Bradford. Dur- 
ing the last week of July Mr. Dallas left Buffalo, 
N. Y. and started on his iournev towards the 
Pacific Coast. I have heard nothing from our 
spirit friends since Mr. Dallas left Bradford, ex- 
cept being apprised of the fact that he had 
started west, but was not advised as to the site 
selected for his sojourn, or that it had been de- 
termined upon. 

Bradford, Pa., February 10, 1899. One year, 
six months and some days have elapsed since 
we received the communications noted in the 
last record, from our spirit friends. Mr. Dallas, 
by their direction, located in Portland, Oregon. 
During his sojourn there he has followed his trade 
as jeweler, and also paid some attention to the 
study of optics. I have remained in Bradford, 
following my profession in the practice of law. 
We have, now and then during the interim, heard 
from our spirit friends. They report that prog- 
ress along lines of their work is slow, that 



548 death; the meaning and result. 

many things have come up to hinder and delay. 
They express themselves, however, as confident 
of success. On February 10, 1S99, I received the 
following communication given by my friend in 
spirit, Plum Mitchell, by telegraphy: "F. R. S., 
W. P. S. and C. S. are at present and have been 
for some time past working on the final arrange- 
ments of our work. Thej r have taken into their 
co-partnership a gentlemen by the name of Von 
Helmholtz, who has, as far as I can see explain- 
ed to our leaders that some of their plans were 
not practicable and he submits a new system. 
The difficult part seems to be in restoring the 
powers of Mr. Dallas which will be necessary in 
order to make the work successful. Prof. F. R. 
S.'s plan was to build that force after getting 
you and Mr. Dallas together as intimated in his 
former telegram, but new complications have 
come up which necessitates a change in the 
original plan. The work is much greater than 
F. R. S. expected, or the balance of our leaders 
anticipated, and it became of such magnitude 
that new material had to be introduced. Charles 
Sumner says that he has full confidence that you 
will remain true to the cause and trusts that 
you will not get impatient at the delay. Plum 
Mitchell, opr. n 

When I received this message I told spirit 
Mitchell that the delay was annoying to us, but 
that we had no idea of giving up hope, and that 
we had implicit confidence in our spirit friends, 
one and all, and no doubt the delay was una- 
voidable. 



death; the meaning and resui/t. 54:9 

On September 15, 1899, my spirit friend Plum 
Mitchell again reported in the manner employed 
in giving to me the last message. In substance 
he said that the work was nearly at a stand- 
still; that so many complications were present- 
ing themselves that some of our spirit friends 
were discouraged, but had not abandoned all 
hope. Pie also said that in the near future a 
full report would be given me by our spirit lead- 
ers. While my friend Mitchell would not admit 
it, still hy the expressions contained in this mes- 
sage I came to the conclusion that he was very 
much disheartened at the wav things were turn- 
ing out, and that in his judgment the outlook 
for the future work was not bright or promis- 
ing. He explained that he had been delegated 
by Dr. W. P. Shoemaker, Charles Sumner and 
others of our spirit leaders to thus give us mor- 
tals an inkling of the way things were shaping 
in the spirit world in relation to their task of 
proving to the people in mortal form that the 
change called death did not end all; that the 
spirit of every human being had a wonderful 
future after death. 

On the 9th day of January 1900, James S. 
Galbraith, E. M. Dallas and myself were favor- 
ed with a report from our spirit friends on the 
situation in the spirit world in relation to the 
work thev had laid out to do. Two years, five 
months and twenty-seven daj-s has elapsed since, 
on July 12, 1897, the spirit' Prof. F. R. S. in- 
formed us, in his wonderful message heretofore 



550 death; the meaning and result. 

set forth, of the plan formulated by theiii and 
the certaint}" of ultimate success. 

This last report admits their failure and holds 
out not a glimmer of hope for the accomplish- 
ment of that for which they have so long fought 
and labored. 

The following message received from our spirit 
friends by telegraphy in a manner so often des- 
cribed, speaks for itself and is as follows: 

"January 9, 1900. To J. K. Wilson, J. S. Gal- 
braith and E. M. Dallas. Gentlemen: In our 
message of September last, we gave you an idea 
of the state of affairs among us over here which 
was not very encouraging at that date and 
since that time the situation has assumed a far 
more serious aspect and I am sorry to report 
reaches a climax whereby we cannot see our way 
clear to carry on the work we have undertaken, 
or place you in that position to demonstrate to 
mankind the facts which you are all aware of. 
The conflicting force is, as of old, priests and 
popery. This opposing force offers more resist- 
ance as we move step by step to the culminating 
point and the new material which we have ad- 
ded to our side of late only went to make mat- 
ters more complex in the working out of our 
great problem. The only alternative we have 
for the present is to join forces with the enemy 
and work along medium lines as designated by 
them. This course is one which we assure you 
cannot be entertained for a moment by us and 
Assuredly not by you of the earth plane; not 



death; the meaning and result. 551 

only as to the results of such a policy, but we 
are in a position to know that the move would 
"bring a multitude of troubles in the near future. 

"If the opposing force will be allowed to dem- 
onstrate through you to their churches and 
priests, they offer to be in one accord with us, 
and would help us along many lines not conflict- 
ing with their general policy, but in so doing 
we would have to bury our personality and you 
would be bound down to creed and papacy by 
such a method. So it is useless to bring such 
offers to your attention and we onh^ do so now 
in our earnest endeavor to place every move in 
jts true light; to state the advantages and dis- 
advantages with our usual fairness, which I am 
sure you recall in all our former dealings with 
you. 

"For the past six months there has been a 
new kind of element at work among us as sub- 
tle as it is clever and one which was surely un- 
dermining our vitality, and over which we were 
unable to gain an ascendency. Our leaders rec- 
ognizing the impossibility of resisting a power 
of greater concentration than our own have de- 
cided, 'after grave deliberation/ to cease all 
work now carried on bj r us until some indefinite 
period in the future. 

"F. R. S. who has had the leadership for these 
past four 3^ears now retires and at present writ- 
ing we are no longer an organized party. Dur- 
ing the last few months we had the aid and 
help of some of the most advanced minds on 



552 death; the meaning and result. 

our side of life, who, with F. R. S., used their tit- 
most powers to direct and control the forces, 
but without avail. The division in our partj 
lateVy was the last move, and led us to this final 
move. I, along with some of your old friends, 
could not see the way clear after that move, but 
have no comments to offer, on the advisability 
of such a step. 

"How well do I remember our start, as small 
as the proverbial grain of mustard seed, only to 
find the foundation upon which we built our 
faith undermined by this jealous and persistent 
power opposing us at every step, so that after 
five years of constant labor and sacrifice we find 
ourselves unable to overcome this virulent virus. 

"-It has only appeared to us lately that our 
cause was in any way seriously threatened, and 
our chances of success any less than before, and 
with such leaders as we possessed all things 
seemed possible, but it is with us as with j^ou, 
we can onfy reason from cause to effect. 

"At our last meeting it was decided that the 
majority of our foremost workers take up other 
lines of work, so that several of our leaders 
have entered Colleges of Unanimity and will 
remain there until such time as w r e may require 
their assistance; so for the present 'Suum Cuique' 
Under such circumstances we recall from you all 
orders issued to you at our last meeting on Juh/* 
12 and 13, 1897, and also any others you may 
have received since that time. You are now at 
liberty to follow whatever path your inclination 



death; the meaning and result. 553 

may lead you, jointly or separately, as you may 
hereafter decide upon. We give you the bare 
truth when we say that we cannot hold out any 
further inducements at the present time in con- 
nection with our work, but we know you will 
not be found wanting should an opportunity 
present itself to us. 

"The fault of our party lay in a great measure 
in organizing too large a force which brought 
the immediate attention of the entire spirit world 
to our center. We have tried to be too complete. 
We should have launched forth in a small capac- 
ity; but then there are many views on our 
actions, and all that I can say, after seeing all of 
our plans frustrated, is, that the time is not 
ripe for such things as we contemplated. Even 
your own sphere is more than usually disturbed, 
and many more nations will be intricated before 
a final settlement, and the present warfare 
seems but a reflex of our own sphere. 

"We all felt like brothers of one great family 
since entering upon this work, and I cannot 
find words to express to you my sorrow and 
disappointment in the culmination of our hopes 
and desires. I assure you that it is a far greater 
loss to us than to you, but we trust that what- 
ever happens we will still retain that feeling of 
good fellowship, love and trust which has bound 
us together in all our relations with each other. 
We trust that events will so shape themselves 
that at some future time we shall all meet, but 
for the present we are under the surveillance of 



354- death; the meaning and result. 

our opposing force and allowed to communicate 
to you under their censorship only. 

"None of you are in any danger from their 
attacks as they only interfere and are interested 
in you when you are working against them 
directly, and the force which w^as built around 
you will remain so long as you do not take any 
active part in physical demonstrations directly 
against them, when they will remove this wall 
in order to have you in a more direct line of 
thought and communication. 

"To our brother worker, J. S. G., we extend 
a heartfelt thankfulness for the faithful part he 
has taken upon himself to assume, and may the 
love and respect which we all have for him be 
his guide. For recompense he has but little, but 
when the time comes for him to join our side of 
life he will find a place set apart for him, and a 
welcome that he will be satisfied with for his 
share of the undertaking. 

ki And to you, my dear John, what can I say. 
We have fought side by side in the struggle in 
life and so on here. We know the sacrifices you 
have made in more ways than one, and if we 
have lost for the moment, we can come together 
over here buoyed up with the knowledge and 
-experience of our former struggles. One thought, 
however, repays you for your part in the work, 
and that is, the double assurance that we are, 
and have our being and personality in a greater 
sphere than yours. But my time is limited and 



death; the meaning and result. 555 

] must use it to advantage while the opportu- 

ty offers itself. 

14 We cannot dictate what paths 3-011 shall fol- 
low in the future; that von must be the judge 
of. About communicating with you in the 
future I cannot form any estimate at this date. 
We may have some method, but remember, that 
apart from personal affairs our communications 
will be reserved to a great extent. If we com- 
municate, Plum will be the operator as hereto- 
fore; but you w r ill have to reserve your anxiety 
about us as we will be unable to give any 
information regarding the situation among us. 
Harvey will also be on hand should any matter 
of more than ordinary importance of a personal 
nature present itself for discussion. 

"As for myself I intend to follow up lines of 
experimental work, and may or may not be able 
meet you for a considerable period. 

"Your consort with us has been all that could 

2 desired, paid but for the ambitions of an 
ontological force we could at present date place 
you all 011 the highest pinnacle of fame among 
lir fellow men. 

"Dr. Edd\^, Honorable Charles Sumner, Judge 
Knox, Judge Corbett, Judge Edmunds, Plum 
Mitchell, Harvey Mason, and your humble ser- 
vant join hands and heart in wishing you, our 
c-enial love and friendship, and if the time does 
t arrive when you will attain that for which 
we all fought and sacrificed on your sphere of 
, it will be reserved for you on ours. 



556 death; the meaning and result. 

' ' Once more we greet you by the hand, and be 
all things until the day of atonement. Signed 
for all, William P. Shoemaker, Plum Mitchell, 
opr." 



After several years of earnest endeavor, by 
denizens of the other side of the great divide 
separating the living from the so-called dead, to 
establish conditions whereby the continuity of 
life, being and personality after death could be 
scientifically demonstrated and proven to all the 
denizens of earth, beyond cavil or doubt, they 
have reached a climax. 

They admit their failure along lines laid out 
by them to serve their purpose. They seemed 
to have one object in view, and that was to 
open an avenue between the seen and unseen 
worlds so broad and free from obstructions that 
uninterrupted intercommunication would be 
established between them, and thereby answer 
the question which has so puzzled the people of 
this world from the beginning, "If a man die 
shall he live again?" 

While the immediate efforts of the master 
minds in spirit to "rend the veil," have failed, 
I am firm in the belief that ere long they will 
find a way to overcome the opposing force and 
power of resistance, and substitute for the glim- 
mer of the rush-light by which we now read, 
"Life after death discovered," the glare and bril- 
liancy of the arc light, so that he who runs may 



death; the meaning and result. 557 



read, know and understand. Then the world 
- v ill accept this, and live in the light of knowl- 
edge that death is only the gateway to a larger 
life in a greater sphere than ours. Then all will 
know that death has no "sting" the grave no 
"victory." 

I am well aware that what is a revelation to 
me alone is no revelation to another. What 
our spirit friends were evidently striving for, was 
to establish conditions whereby they could make 
their revelations to Mr. Dallas, Mr. Galbraith, 
Mr. Kramer and myself, universal. They seemed 
to have grasped the fact, that in this world of 
objectivity, there is a distinction in the field of 
evidence between demonstration and proof; that 

"emonstration is a conclusion drawn from a 
universal major premise, producing absolute cer- 
tain^; that proof is a conclusion drawn from a 
particular major premise, producing probable 
certaint}-; hence their efforts to arrive at a point 
of possibilities whereby they could demonstrate 
to the world that life after death is an assured 
:act. 

In the light of the demonstrations I have wit- 
nessed and related in this book, I have no doubt 

whatever that the entities who came to the fore 
from the unseen world, barring a small percent- 
age of impersonating, are who they represent 
themselves to be. That fact is as patent to me, 

tnd as clearfy proven, as any other fact in nature 
or science. Proof is logical^ defined as the 
'•'sufficient reason for assenting to a proposition 



558 death; the meaning and result. 

as true." I have sufficient reasons for assenting 
to the proposition of their identity and person- 
ality, and therefore have the proof. I am in a 
position to judge fairly well of their persona, 
characteristics in their present state, having met 
them and held converse with them so repeatedly 
as related in this volume. With but few excep- 
tions I knew them very well in earth life, and as- 
far as I can determine, each spirit has carried 
with him into spirit life and now possesses, his 
distinct identity and personal characteristics. 

Those whom I knew in earth life, and have met 
since passing the divide, were honest, truthful 
and candid men. I do not believe they have 
retrograded in these attributes since their trans- 
ition. I believe their mission in coming here 
from the spirit side of life emanated from a pure 
and lofty purpose, and what they said from 
time to time to us were facts as they understoo 1 
them at the time. 

In working along lines for the consummation 
of the work which they laid out to do, they 
occasionally erred in judgment; but they tell us 
that in formulating plans the}', like us mortals, 
can only reason from cause to effect, and say 
that in no sense are they infallible. If they 
could do more, they would not be human beings 
as they insist and claim they are. 

If the publication of this book paves the way 
for a better understanding of the meaning of 
physical death, and the part it plays in nature,, 



death; the meaning and result. 559 

or stimulates the certainty of any now in doubt 
of a future state, the author will be amply 
repaid for all energy expended in its preparation. 



THE END. 



APR 19 190 







h 







H 



P9K9 






£m 



Sill $E£§>§ 



tHm 



wm 






aBSf5¥nKrxF4s 



